Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90 percent or more of the diabetic population.
In Type 2 diabetes, the body’s ability to use its own insulin and process its blood glucose has become impaired. A combination of factors is to blame: the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin; the liver (which produces blood glucose) may be releasing too much; and the body’s cells may not be able to correctly absorb and use the blood glucose for energy. The result is that too much glucose stays in the blood, while the body is being deprived of the energy it needs. The blood stream gets thick and syrupy from the extra sugar, and the person with Type 2 diabetes can begin to feel weak or ill.
Type 2 diabetes has also been called “adult onset” (because it was once thought to occur only in adults) and “non-insulin-dependent” (because it was once believed that no one with Type 2 diabetes was actually dependant on insulin injections in order to live). Because children are now developing Type 2 diabetes, and some Type 2 diabetes sufferers do depend on insulin as completely as Type 1 diabetes sufferers, these names have been dropped.
Onset is slow
The onset of Type 2 diabetes is generally very slow. It can develop over the course of months or even years. Typical signs and symptoms include: becoming very thirsty, frequent urination, fatigue, slow wound healing, blurred vision, and burning and tingling of the feet.
But not all of these symptoms occur in all people. And, in fact, none may appear until blood glucose levels are very high—approximately 250 to 300 mg/dL or higher. (For comparison, normal, or non-diabetic, blood glucose is about 100 mg/dL.) By the time they are diagnosed, many people with Type 2 diabetes are already experiencing the health consequences of high blood glucose and may have some difficulty getting it under control. It is not unusual for a person to go to the doctor complaining of fatigue or blurred vision—only to find out these are symptoms of diabetes.
It is believed that genetic inheritance is the root cause of diabetes. However, lifestyle factors such as stress, weight gain, and lack of exercise are seen as triggers that determine who will develop Type 2 diabetes. As more and more people become overweight or obese, we see more and more people developing Type 2 diabetes. It is quite possible that not all of these people would have developed diabetes if they had maintained a healthier weight, or at least the onset of Type 2 diabetes could have been delayed.
Insulin resistance
It’s important to understand the concept of “insulin resistance.” The body is said to resist insulin because it can no longer respond chemically to this hormone (insulin is said to “unlock” a cell to allow glucose to move inside). Or, in other cases, the cells may resist insulin if they have become misshapen and can no longer respond properly. It is thought that an increase in body weight may be the cause of this second scenario.
This resistance to insulin is initially seen after food is eaten, causing blood glucose levels to rise significantly after meals. Unfortunately, this condition is not usually captured by the fasting glucose test, which is often a part of annual checkups. If a person goes without eating for several hours, the blood glucose level can return to normal—even if the person is, in fact, developing insulin resistance. This is why it is important to alert your physician if you believe you may be at risk for diabetes.
Risk factors
Poor eating habits, weight gain, and a sedentary lifestyle all seem to be among the causes when Type 2 diabetes appears. Age is also a risk factor. While diabetes occurs in people of all ages and races, certain ethnic groups have a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. It is most common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.
Taking care of and managing diabetes is important. If left untreated or not taken seriously, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and nerve damage.
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