Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes sugar. It’s also known as insulin resistance. With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin properly. This causes your blood sugar to rise. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2.
Here are the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Type 2 Diabetes:
Causes:
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, including:
- Obesity or being overweight
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Unhealthy cholesterol levels (high LDL and low HDL)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- Prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance)
Symptoms:
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be gradual. In fact, you may not have any symptoms at all. This is especially true in the early stages of the disease. Even when type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, some people may only have mild symptoms. But as the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe and life-threatening.
The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger (especially after eating)
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor right away. They can perform a blood test to check for diabetes.
Treatment:
There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, but it can be managed. The goal of treatment is to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range and prevent complications. Treatment usually involves making lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, as well as taking medication.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you will need to:
- Manage your blood sugar levels
- Take medication as prescribed
- Make lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly
- Monitor your progress
Making these lifestyle changes can be difficult. But it’s important to remember that even small changes can make a big difference. With time and effort, you can reach and maintain a healthy weight, improve your blood sugar control, and reduce your risk of complications.
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). The two types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.
Type 2 diabetes develops when your body can’t produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in your blood. When there isn’t enough insulin or the insulin doesn’t work properly, sugar builds up in your blood. This can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.
The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented, or at least delayed, by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. If you have type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes can also help you manage the disease and prevent complications.
FAQs:
Q: What is type 2 diabetes?
A: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. It’s the most common form of diabetes, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2.
Q: What causes type 2 diabetes?
A: There are a variety of diabetes type 2 causes that can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, including obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), gestational diabetes, and prediabetes.
Conclusion:
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. It’s the most common form of diabetes, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented, or at least delayed, by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. If you have type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes can also help you manage the disease and prevent complications.
