Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes or diabetes mellitus Type 2 is a metabolic disorder, characterized by high blood glucose level. It is the most common form of diabetes (about 90%) worldwide, as compared to other diabetes types, namely Type 1 and gestational. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which is caused due to failure in insulin production, Type 2 diabetes is caused due to problems with body's cells that respond to insulin. Thus, patients of Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin normally. Type 2 diabetes was formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) as mostly people with this type of diabetes do not need artificial insulin. It was also known as adult-onset diabetes, since it occurs mostly in adults. However, at present, children are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes due to an increase in the obesity rate.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

In many of the cases, Type 2 diabetes occurs gradually. It may be caused due to insulin resistance and/or abnormal insulin secretion, i.e. insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas. In a normal healthy person, the body's cells (fat, liver and muscle cells) produce insulin response, whereas in a Type 2 diabetes patient, body's cells don't produce normal insulin response. The function of insulin is to induce body cells to take up glucose from blood to be used as a source of energy. Since body cells are insulin resistant, they don't use glucose from the blood, thus resulting in high blood glucose level or hyperglycemia. The other effects of insulin resistance on the body metabolism are increase in coronary heart disease (the fat levels in the blood get disturbed) and also rise in normal blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity, hypertension, less active lifestyle, elevated cholesterol and several other metabolic disorders. It may also be caused due to hereditary and environmental factors.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

The early symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are so mild that very often, they go unnoticed. Many of the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are similar to Type 1 diabetes. The common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include polyuria (increased urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger), increased fatigue, blurred vision, weight loss or gain, slow healing of cuts and wounds, frequent infections (due to suppressed immune system) and numbness in hands and feet. However, if remain untreated, Type 2 diabetes can lead to certain other health complications, such as sexual problems, persistent fungal skin infections and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). HHNS is a life-threatening complication due to prolonged high blood sugar level.

Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes

Diagnosis is done by analyzing the symptoms, followed by a series of tests and examinations. Some of the routine tests include blood tests such as random or non-fasting blood glucose level and fasting blood glucose level test. In general, normal glucose level is considered to be 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). If the random blood glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL, diabetes is suspected. Diagnosis of diabetes is done, if fasting blood glucose level is more than 126 mg/dL on 2 occasions.

Oral glucose level test is done so as to check how the body metabolizes blood sugar. Diabetes is diagnosed if the blood glucose level is more than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours.

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Treatment of Type 2 diabetes is easier, as compared to Type 1 diabetes in the initial phases. Type 2 diabetes treatment is done by following physical activities, insulin resistance diets and other medications. Some patients might be recommended for artificial insulin, depending upon their overall health condition, medical history and severity of the disease. Regular exercise is very important since it reduces insulin resistance, one of the major causes of Type 2 diabetes. However, care should be taken for those patients, who take insulin and follow exercise at the same time. Since both insulin and exercise lower the sugar level of blood, there is a risk of lowering glucose level below the normal, resulting in hypoglycemia, which is associated with certain other health complications such as dizziness, nausea, weakness, etc.

Ways to avoid Type 2 diabetes include maintaining body weight, regular exercise, following a balance diet (with low percentage of fats) and regular monitoring of blood glucose level. Always consult with your physician for any health-related problems and also before taking up any medication.