Diabetes Type 2
Diabetes Type 2 was a disease that mainly affected the elderly but unfortunately, mainly due to diet and lifestyle, it is fast becoming a younger persons disease. It accounts for between 85 and 95 per cent of all people with diabetes and is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity.
Unlike in Type 1 Diabetes, where insulin is not produced by the body, in Type 2 there is either a lack of insulin or the cells become resistant to insulin. This causes glucose (sugars) to build up in the blood instead of going to the cells in the body. The glucose in the blood ends up passing into the urine. But the body needs to get energy from somewhere so it will start to break down stores of fat and protein instead which can cause weight loss and fatigue.
The main symptoms of Diabetes Type 2 are:
- Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.
- Being really thirsty.
- Feeling more tired than usual.
- Losing weight without trying to.
- Genital itching or thrush.
- Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.
- Blurred vision
There are a number of conditions associated with diabetes including coeliac disease, thyroid disease, polycystic ovary syndrome,skin and muscular conditions, diabetes insipidus and dental health complications.
Muscular conditions include limited joint mobility, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), dupuytren's contracture, trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. All of these conditions have symptoms that may be eased with osteopathic treatment.
Your osteopath would probably discuss your diet with you too as part of a more global treatment and should you have a diabetic neuropathy (numbness in your feet and hands) they would also check your feet for and cuts or skin lesions that you may not be able to feel.
Diet wise, you would be asked a few simple questions to make sure you have someone who can help you, such as a dietician or diabetic nurse. If not an osteopath could give you general advice on what type of food choices you should be making to help you to control your blood glucose levels.
