World Diabetes Day: Understanding the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes
Today is World Diabetes Day, a global awareness campaign with the aim of encouraging diabetes awareness and prevention. As weight loss management experts, we can’t stress enough how serious diabetes is, and try to educate the public on how to lower the risk factors where possible…
Diabetes is a long-term medical condition which will affect your day to day life and can eventually lead to more serious complications particularly if it isn’t managed effectively such as strokes, kidney disease, heart attacks and even damage to your eyesight.
But it can often be avoided by keeping our blood sugars at a good level through an active and healthy lifestyle which includes a balanced and nutritious diet and regular exercise.
The link between obesity and type 2 diabetes explained
Type 2 Diabetes is often linked to being overweight or obese… but why exactly does carrying excess weight increase our risk factor?
It is a well-known fact that having an unhealthy BMI, especially if it is over 30, will dramatically increase your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. This is because obesity triggers changes to your body’s metabolism which causes problems with a naturally occurring chemical in the body called insulin. This causes adipose tissues, or fat, to be released into the blood which can affect our insulin responsive cells. As a result of reduced insulin sensitivity which aren’t able to process sugar as it should, your glucose levels will rise which affects your blood pressure.
What signs of diabetes should I look out for?
Among the most common signs and signs of diabetes are:
- Blurry vision
- Constantly feeling hungry and thirsty
- Going to the toilet more than usual especially during the night
- Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet
- Cuts or wounds that take longer to heal
- Always feeling tired or lethargic
- Repeatedly getting thrush or urine infections
If you are concerned that you may have type 2 diabetes, our best advice would always be to see your GP in the first instance to discuss your symptoms and concerns.
How could weight loss surgery help?
Along with all the benefits that our patients tell us about improvements to their appearance, confidence and self-esteem. Above all, your number one weight loss motivation should be how beneficial weight loss surgery can be for your health by lowering your risk-factors for a plethora of weight-related issues including type 2 diabetes.
All weight loss surgeries with us including gastric band, sleeve and bypass are tools which ultimately need your commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle in order to achieve positive results. The lifestyle aspect of weight loss surgery can really benefit your long-term health by both lowering your blood sugar levels and improving your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Weight loss surgery with us includes many weight loss resources at your disposal, including on-going support from our expert dietitians and nursing team as well as regular contact with your weight loss support team. You can read more about the evidence which supports weight loss surgery as a solution for managing diabetes on the blog.
Are you ready to regain control?
We know that weight loss isn’t easy, especially on your own. When you’ve tried following a balanced diet and exercising and it’s just not enough, weight loss surgery with us could be the start of your journey to a new lease of a life and a healthier you.
We’ve helped many patients achieve their weight loss goals with gastric band, sleeve and bypass surgery and access to our weight loss resources. Take the first step by getting in touch with our expert team to see if weight loss surgery could be an option for you.