Type 2 diabetes

[Autumn465355]

My dad who is in his late 70s was diagnosed with diabetes over a month ago. He has done nothing to change his diet since then and has been gorging on sweet stuff all over Xmas. He said he is going to cut down in the new year. He has been looking and feeling like rubbish all over Xmas although he won’t admit it. He’s looked exhausted and has been lethargic with no energy for days. I guess what I’m trying to establish is whether this could be from his diabetes diagnosis which he has completely ignored? We have all been encouraging him to cut down but he just isn’t interested. I was wondering what are the medical consequences of ignoring a diabetes diagnosis and continuing the way he has been? TIA!

Is he on medication?

No he’s only just been diagnosed and is supposed to control it with diet initially, which he hasn’t been doing and is the reason I am concerned 😞

I wouldn't bet on him doing it by diet, that takes a lot of discipline and it's even harder at his age if he hasn't the drive to do it. My Mum was diagnosed with type 2 at about that age and has always been on pills and insulin for it. She's 91 now and her doctors are more concerned about her sugars getting low than high, now.

The medical consequences of untreated diabetes are anything from a heart attack; blindness; amputation of limbs; kidney failure. I live in Mexico where diabetes is rife (Thanks Coca Cola).

Yes fatigue and lethargy can be symptoms from the T2.

If he doesn't control it with diet, he will need meds. I was put on meds immediately and went from there to see if I could control it with diet and exercise alone. Controlling it with diet and exercise is hard work and even harder to start doing that while you feel like crap. I'd encourage him to push for meds as a starting point and then address diet and exercise.

Yes it can make you feel appalling. It doesn't for everyone. It is possible to change your diet and control it diet alone. I know, I've done it but your Dad doesn't sound very committed.

When I eat something I shouldn't I feel sick, dizzy, tired, upset stomach etc. It's simply not worth it in my opinion.

Some people can control it with diet
I've tried that and meds. Just started background insulin which is working

Not everybody can control it with diet and exercise. I did the hard yards with low carb and exercise and my hbA1c was not moving. I went back on metformin and then onto ozempic. I'm now in the non-diabetic range and incredibly can tolerate fruit now!