Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disorder caused by your body’s inability to effectively use insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. People with type 2 diabetes have either insufficient insulin production, cells that are resistant to the insulin they produce, or a combination of the two. When your body does not produce enough insulin, your blood glucose (or blood sugar) rises.
The way your body uses insulin may appear to be difficult. Here’s how it works: Your body transforms the nutrients in your food into glucose, or sugar, when you eat or drink. When glucose enters your bloodstream, your pancreas releases insulin, which either uses the glucose as energy to fuel your body or stores it for later use. 1
If you have type 2 diabetes, that process is disrupted—either because your cells are resistant to the insulin produced by your pancreas or because your pancreas cannot create enough insulin. Instead of being used as energy by your body, glucose lingers in your bloodstream. High levels of glucose in the blood can harm your organs and tissues over time.
It is critical to get treatment for type 2 diabetes. Complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eyesight loss can occur if left untreated. 2 This may sound frightening, but type 2 diabetes is a common condition that, with the correct medicine and lifestyle adjustments, can be managed.
Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is the most common kind, accounting for 95% of all diabetes cases. 3 Type 2 diabetes has four subtypes, which are as follows: 4
Severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD): This subtype accounts for approximately 18% of all cases. People with SIDD are typically young and of normal weight. They may have a weak metabolism and produce less insulin. Blindness and nerve damage are common SIDD consequences.
Severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) accounts for around 15% of all cases. Obesity and insulin resistance are common in people with SIRD. SIRD patients frequently have kidney and liver problems.
Mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD): MOD typically affects obese people, accounting for almost 22% of cases. MOD, unlike SIRD, does not cause insulin resistance. MOD, in general, is a moderate form of type 2 diabetes with few consequences.
Mild age-related diabetes (MARD): This is the most frequent type 2 diabetes subtype, accounting for 39% of cases. MARD patients have trouble managing their blood sugar levels. They have few issues in general. MARD risk normally increases with age.
Some people may have prediabetes, which occurs when blood sugar levels are slightly higher than normal but not yet in the range for type 2 diabetes. One in every three adults in the United States has prediabetes. Prediabetes can be reversed by making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, consuming nutritious meals, and exercising regularly. 5
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may have a variety of symptoms, including:
Feeling particularly hungry or thirsty
Urination on a regular basis
hazy vision
Weakness and fatigue
Irritability7
Slow-healing sores, wounds, and bruises
Hand and foot pain, tingling, or numbness
Weight loss that was unintentional
Skin dehydration
Symptoms can be so minor that you may not detect any changes in your health. Approximately half of all patients with type 2 diabetes in the United States are ignorant of their illness. 8
Insulin resistance is the primary cause of type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which cannot be prevented, additional variables such as 9 can raise your risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes.
Obesity has been linked to type 2 diabetes.
Physical activity: A lack of physical activity increases your chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise can help your blood sugar stay stable and help your body turn sugar into energy.
If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, you are at a higher risk of having the condition as well.
Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes happens when your blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy. After giving birth, blood sugar levels normally recover to normal, but this condition may raise your chance of getting type 2 diabetes later in life.
Age: Type 2 diabetes affects people of all ages. People over the age of 45, on the other hand, are more likely to develop the disorder.
Smoking: Smokers are 30% to 40% more likely than nonsmokers to develop type 2 diabetes. 10
Low HDL cholesterol: A low HDL (“good”) cholesterol level can increase your risk.
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is a hormonal disorder that affects the ovaries. Insulin resistance is another complication of PCOS. Type 2 diabetes affects almost half of all PCOS patients over the age of 40. 11
High blood pressure: Some blood pressure drugs can raise your chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
A few blood sugar tests can be performed by your healthcare professional. They may also repeat tests or order more tests to confirm or rule out a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
It is recommended that your provider only use one of the following tests to make a diagnosis: Remember: don’t use over-the-counter (OTC) blood testing equipment, such as a blood glucose meter, to diagnose type 2 diabetes. 12 FPG (Fasting Plasma Glucose) Test
Your healthcare physician may request that you fast for at least eight hours before taking an FPG test. It is usually better to schedule this test in the early morning so that you can fast overnight. You will have to forego breakfast, but you will be able to sip water.
A healthcare provider will draw your blood during an FPG test. Your blood sample will be tested to determine your blood glucose levels. Diabetes is indicated by two FPG tests that show a blood glucose level greater than 126 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood. 13-A1C Exam
This blood test evaluates your average blood sugar levels over the previous three months, beginning with the date of the test. Unlike the FPG test, you do not need to fast before having an A1C test.
You will be asked to provide a blood sample during an A1C test, which is commonly collected from a vein in your arm. 14 When you obtain your test results, you will be given a percentage that indicates how much of your blood proteins are coated with sugar. A1C readings of less than 5.7% indicate normal, 5.7% to 6.4% indicate prediabetes, and 6.5% or more indicate diabetes. 14
RPG (random plasma glucose) test
In some cases, your healthcare professional may use an RPG test to measure blood sugar levels. Because this test does not involve fasting, your provider may ask you to take it at any time of day.
If your results show that you have more than 200 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood, your provider can make a formal diabetes diagnosis. 15 OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test)
An OGTT, also known as a glucose tolerance test, is used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes. This test, like the FPG test, will require you to fast overnight before having your blood drawn.
Your healthcare professional will ask you to ingest a sugary drink after taking a blood sample. They will draw your blood several times over the next two to three hours to see how your blood sugar levels react to the sugary drink. 16. Urine Examination
Urine tests were historically more common than blood tests. Urine test findings, on the other hand, are currently less accurate than blood test results. Even so, your healthcare practitioner may still use it to assess blood sugar if drawing your blood is problematic or if the urine test is used as an alternative to a diabetic screening. 17
If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the goal of treatment is to reduce your blood sugar levels and keep them within a safe range. Treatment options will differ depending on the severity of your ailment, your lifestyle, and your overall health.
To keep their blood sugar under control, some people with type 2 diabetes take oral medicines. Insulin injections are more common in patients with type 1 diabetes, but if other therapies aren’t working for you, your healthcare professional may recommend insulin injections. 18
Most of the time, you can control your blood sugar by making healthy lifestyle adjustments, such as:
Eating a nutritious diet: A heart-healthy diet aids with diabetes management. To keep your blood sugar in balance, eat more fruits and vegetables, healthy grains, lean proteins, and non- or low-fat dairy. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that you fill half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables, a quarter of your plate with lean proteins (e.g., chicken or fish), and a quarter of your plate with carbohydrate foods like beans and grains. 20
Getting regular exercise: Staying active will help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Walking, biking, and strength training are all viable possibilities. But the most essential thing is to choose an activity that you enjoy and can do on your own. 21
shedding weight, if necessary: Because obesity is related to higher blood sugar levels, your healthcare professional may recommend shedding a small amount of weight with a nutritious diet and moderate activity in some circumstances. 22
Prediabetes affects almost 90 million people in the United States. Approximately 84% of those folks are unaware that their blood sugar is higher than normal. Prediabetes can be treated and prevented from advancing to type 2 diabetes.
The best way to avoid type 2 diabetes is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. If you or your healthcare provider believe you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you can attempt some of the following strategies to reduce your risk: 2425
Consuming a low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, and lean proteins
Regular exercise Limiting tobacco and alcohol use
Keeping track of your health objectives
Creating a support structure to hold you accountable to your objectives
A lifestyle change program is available through the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The program matches you with a health coach who will assist you in changing your lifestyle. The coaches can advise you on how to eat a heart-healthy diet, fit in daily physical activity, and reduce stress. Some programs are completely free. Other programs may have a similar feel to them, although some insurance plans may cover the costs. 26
People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to acquire other illnesses that can impair their blood sugar levels and general health. Some of these co-occurring conditions are as follows: 27
Hypertension, often known as high blood pressure, is thought to afflict more than 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes. 28
Heart disease: Hypertension raises your risk of developing heart disease. People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease, which affects roughly 20% of those with the illness.
Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Approximately 78% of type 2 diabetics are overweight or obese. Weight control can occasionally help prevent or treat type 2 diabetes. 29
Hyperlipidemia is characterized by a high level of fat in the blood. More than 75% of people with type 2 diabetes have hyperlipidemia. Diabetes can cause a decrease in HDL (“good”) cholesterol while increasing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides. Keeping your blood sugar levels within a healthy range, on the other hand, can help. 30
Chronic kidney disease (CKD): CKD happens when your kidneys gradually stop working. If left untreated, CKD can result in renal failure. It affects approximately a quarter of all people with type 2 diabetes. 31
Type 2 diabetes can have an effect on both your physical and emotional well-being. If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, receiving treatment as soon as possible will help improve your symptoms and general quality of life. 32
When you have a chronic illness, you may experience melancholy or frustration on occasion. It’s okay to feel this way, and it’s critical that you understand that these emotions are typical. However, you are not alone in dealing with your condition, and there are techniques to cope with your feelings. 33
Some methods for managing your overall health include:
Cooking nutritious meals with your family
Finding a training partner to assist you during your workouts
While practicing meditation or deep breathing methods, listen to soothing music.
Staying active by participating in hobbies and spending time with family and friends
Maintaining communication with your healthcare professional to verify that your blood sugar is under control.
If you require extra assistance, please contact a mental health professional.
Diabetes type 2 can be a life-changing diagnosis. Making healthy changes, on the other hand, can help you live a more fulfilling life.
People with type 2 diabetes either do not make enough insulin or resist it. When your body does not produce enough insulin, your blood sugar rises, putting you at risk of significant problems if left untreated.
The good news is that getting a thorough diagnosis and therapy might help you manage the disease. Although there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, medicines and lifestyle modifications can help lower blood sugar levels.
