Overview
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, (formerly noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes), according to World Health Organization (WHO) Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world, and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in children.
In this article, you'll learn the basics about type 2 diabetes, including symptoms, causes and prevention.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
In type 2 and other types of diabetes, you have too much glucose, also called sugar, in your blood. People with diabetes have problems converting food to energy. After a meal, food is broken down into glucose, which is carried by your blood to cells throughout your body. With the help of the hormone insulin, cells absorb glucose from your blood and use it for energy. Insulin is made in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach.
The type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. This is in contrast to diabetes mellitus type 1, in which there is an absolute insulin deficiency due to destruction of islet cells in the pancreas.
People with type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, either their pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin adequately. This is called insulin resistance. When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body's cells are not able to function properly. Other problems associated with the buildup of glucose in the blood include:
People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood, however, those at highest risk for the disease are those who:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, (formerly noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes), according to World Health Organization (WHO) Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world, and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in children.
In this article, you'll learn the basics about type 2 diabetes, including symptoms, causes and prevention.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
The type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. This is in contrast to diabetes mellitus type 1, in which there is an absolute insulin deficiency due to destruction of islet cells in the pancreas.
People with type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, either their pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin adequately. This is called insulin resistance. When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body's cells are not able to function properly. Other problems associated with the buildup of glucose in the blood include:
- Damage to the body. Over time, the high glucose levels in the blood may damage the nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, and heart and predispose a person to atherosclerosis (hardening) of the large arteries that can cause heart attack and stroke.
- Dehydration. The buildup of sugar in the blood can cause an increase in urination. When the kidneys lose the glucose through the urine, a large amount of water is also lost, causing dehydration.
- Diabetic Coma (Hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma). When a person with type 2 diabetes becomes very ill or severely dehydrated and is not able to drink enough fluids to make up for the fluid losses, they may develop this life-threatening complication.
People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood, however, those at highest risk for the disease are those who:
- Are over 45 of age
- Are obese or overweight
- Have had gestational diabetes
- Have family members who have type 2 diabetes
- Have prediabetes
- Are inactive
- Have low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides levels
- Have high blood pressure
- Are members of certain racial or ethnic groups
People with type 2 diabetes may not have symptoms for years or decades, but as the disease progresses and blood sugar levels rise, symptoms develop. Here is the list of signs and symptoms for people with type 2 diabetes :
- Blurred sight
- Dry, itchy skin
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger (especially after eating)
- Frequent need to urinate
- Decreased sensation or numbness in the hands and feet
- Frequent bladder and vaginal infections
- Male impotence (erectile dysfunction)
- Slow healing of cuts or sores
- Tiredness
- Leg cramps
Preventing of Type 2 Diabetes
Many people with type 2 diabetes go undiagnosed for several years and are not diagnosed until they go to the doctor with complications of diabetes. But up to 60% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented. People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent this disease by following a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Regular physical activity
- Making healthy food choices
- Managing blood pressure
- Managing cholesterol levels
- Not smoking.
References
- "Diabetes" Retrieved January 05, 2013
- "Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?" Retrieved February 01, 2013
- "Type 2 Diabetes" Retrieved February 01, 2013
