A dysfunction in the body’s ability to control and use sugar as fuel results in type 2 diabetes. This sugar is also known as glucose. There is too much sugar flowing in the blood as a consequence of this chronic illness. Over time, cardiovascular, neurological, and immune system issues might result from excessive blood sugar levels.
Generally speaking, type 2 diabetes has two issues. Insulin, a hormone that controls how quickly sugar enters cells, is not produced by the pancreas in sufficient amounts. Additionally, cells absorb less sugar and have a weak insulin response.
Although type 1 and type 2 diabetes may start in infancy and adulthood, respectively, type 2 diabetes used to be classified as adult-onset diabetes. Older persons are more likely to have type 2. But more young individuals are developing type 2 diabetes as a result of the rise in the number of obese youngsters.
Type 2 diabetes does not have a treatment. Exercise, a healthy diet, and weight loss may all assist with illness management. Diabetes medicines or insulin treatment may be advised if diet and exercise are insufficient to regulate blood sugar.
Symptoms
Type 2 diabetes symptoms often appear gradually. In fact, you may have type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it. When symptoms do exist, they may consist of:
- Higher thirst
- A lot of urine
- Increased appetite
- Weight reduction without intent
- Fatigue
- Vision that is hazy
- Slow healing wounds
- Many infections
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Areas of skin that have darkened, often around the neck and armpits
Causes
Two issues are the major causes of type 2 diabetes:
The liver, fat, and muscle cells become insulin-resistant. The cells don’t take in enough sugar as a consequence.
The pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels.
It is unknown why this occurs specifically. Key contributing factors include being overweight and being sedentary.
How insulin functions
A gland below and under the stomach, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin. The following are some ways that insulin regulates how the body consumes sugar:
- Insulin is released by the pancreas in response to blood sugar levels.
- Sugar may reach the cells because insulin is circulating in the circulation.
- Sugar levels in the bloodstream decrease.
- The pancreas produces less insulin in response to this decline.
The part glucose plays
A major source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues is glucose, a sugar. The following are some examples of how glucose is used and regulated:
Food and the liver are the two main sources of glucose.
Insulin helps glucose enter cells once it is taken into the circulation.
Glucose is created and stored by the liver.
In order to maintain the body’s glucose level within a safe range when glucose levels are low, the liver converts glycogen that has been stored into glucose.
This method is ineffective in type 2 diabetes. Sugar accumulates in the blood instead of entering the cells. More insulin is released by the pancreas when blood sugar levels increase. The insulin-producing cells of the pancreas eventually suffer damage and are unable to produce enough insulin to fulfill the body’s requirements.
Risk Factors
Type 2 diabetes risk factors include the following:
- Weight. Obesity or being overweight is a major risk.
- Fat distribution. A higher risk is indicated by storing fat mostly in the belly as opposed to the hips and thighs. Men with a waist measurement over 40 inches (101.6 centimeters) and women with a waist measurement above 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) have an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Inactivity. The danger increases with a person’s level of inactivity. Exercise aids in weight management, burns glucose as fuel, and increases insulin sensitivity in cells.
- Family background. If a parent or sibling has the disease, a person is more likely to get type 2 diabetes themselves.
- Ethnicity and race. individuals of specific races and ethnicities, such as Black, Hispanic, Native Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders, are more prone than white individuals to acquire type 2 diabetes, while it is unknown why this is the case.
- Levels of blood lipids. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or the “good” cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides are linked to an increased risk.
- Age. Type 2 diabetes risk rises with age, particularly beyond the age of 35.
- Prediabetes. When blood sugar levels are above normal but not high enough to be considered diabetic, the condition is called prediabetes. Prediabetes often develops into type 2 diabetes if left untreated.
- Dangers associated with pregnancy. People who had gestational diabetes while pregnant and women who had babies weighing more than 9 pounds (4 kilograms) are more likely to acquire type 2 diabetes.
- Polycystic ovaries. Diabetes risk is increased by polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, and obesity.
Complications
The heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and many other important organs are all impacted by type 2 diabetes. Additionally, risk factors for diabetes may raise the chance of other severe illnesses. Controlling blood sugar and managing diabetes may reduce the likelihood of these consequences and other illnesses, such as:
- Blood vessel and heart disease. Diabetes is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis, a condition that causes blood arteries to thin.
- Limb nerve injury. The name of this ailment is neuropathy. Over time, high blood sugar may harm or even kill nerves. As a consequence, there may be tingling, numbness, burning, discomfort, or even ultimate loss of sensation, which often starts at the ends of the toes or fingers and slowly moves higher.
- Further nerve damage. Heart rhythm irregularities might be a result of damage to the heart’s nerves. Digestive system nerve injury may result in issues with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Erectile dysfunction may also be brought on by nerve injury.
- Kidney illness. Diabetes may cause chronic renal disease or irreversible end-stage kidney disease. That could need kidney transplantation or dialysis.
- Eye injury. Diabetes may damage the blood vessels in the retina, possibly resulting in blindness, and also raises the risk of significant eye conditions such cataracts and glaucoma.
- Skin problems. Diabetes may increase your chance of developing bacterial and fungal infections, among other skin issues.
- Slow recovery. Cuts and blisters may develop into dangerous infections that may not heal properly if left untreated. Amputations of the toe, foot, or leg may be necessary for severe injuries.
- Impairment of hearing. Diabetes patients are more likely to have hearing issues.
- Apneic sleep. People with type 2 diabetes often have obstructive sleep apnea. The primary cause of these illnesses may be obesity.
- Dementia. The risk of dementia illnesses like Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia appears to be higher in those with type 2 diabetes. Memory loss and other cognitive deterioration are also connected to poor blood sugar management.
Prevention
Type 2 diabetes may be prevented with a healthy lifestyle. Changes in your way of life may reduce or halt the development of diabetes if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes.
A healthy way of life consists of:
- Consuming wholesome food. Pick meals with more fiber and less calories and fat. Put an emphasis on whole grains, veggies, and fruits.
- Taking action. Aim for 150 or more minutes per week of cardiovascular exercise that ranges from moderate to strenuous, such as a brisk walk, a bike ride, a run, or swimming.
- Shedding pounds. If you are overweight, moderate weight loss and weight maintenance may slow the development of type 2 diabetes from prediabetes. Losing 7% to 10% of your body weight may lower your chance of developing diabetes if you have prediabetes.
- Limiting extended periods of idleness. Long stretches of inactivity might raise your risk of type 2 diabetes. Every 30 minutes, make an effort to get up and walk about for at least a few minutes.
Metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza, and other brand names), a diabetic drug, may be recommended to persons with prediabetes to lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is often recommended to elderly persons who are obese and unable to alter their lifestyles to reduce blood sugar levels.