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Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

Alternative Names

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes, Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), Diabetes - type 2, Adult-onset diabetes

What is Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that causes metabolic disorder and characterized by high blood sugar. This type is the most common form of diabetes. It appears when your body either resists the effects of insulin — a hormone managing the movement of sugar into the cells — or does not produce enough insulin to provide a normal glucose level. If you do not pay attention to type 2 diabetes, it can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Sometimes people with type 2 diabetes do not have any symptoms.

Possible symptoms may include:

blurred vision
erectile dysfunction
fatigue
frequent or slow-healing infections
iIncreased appetite
increased thirst
increased urination

Possible complications

Elevated levels of sugar in the blood can lead to damage of the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart and even lead to death. The most widespread complication of diabetes is a loss of feeling in the extremities known as diabetic neuropathy. People may not feel their feet and have burning sensations in the feet that may lead to amputation.

If left untreated, type 2 diabetes can cause serious problems:

trouble with the eyes
skin and feet infections
heart attack, storke and other problems
damage of nerves
problems digesting the food you eat
kidney damage

What causes

Diabetes is caused by a problem how your body makes or uses insulin. The triggers may be the followings:

age greater than 45 years
HDL cholesterol of less than 35 mg/dL or triglyceride level of greater than 250 mg/dL
high blood pressure
history of gestational diabetes
previously identified impaired glucose tolerance by your doctor
race/ethnicity (African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans all have high rates of diabetes)

Prevention

You should have an active lifestyle, eat healthy food in sensible portions, control you weight and the level of sugar in your blood. One you notice the problem, discuss it with your doctor immediately.

Treatment

The treatment plan should be determined by your doctor. Usually the medications include:

alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose)
biguanides (Metformin)
injectable medicines (including exenatide, mitiglinide, pramlintide, sitagliptin, and saxagliptin)
meglitinides (including repaglinide and nateglinide)
sulfonylureas (like glimepiride, glyburide, and tolazamide)
thiazolidinediones (such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone but these medications increase the risk of heart
problems, you should talk to your doctor if you can take them)

The medications can help you to:

stimulate the pancreas to produce and release more insulin
inhibit the production and release of glucose from the liver
block the action of stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates
improving the sensitivity of cells to insulin

The treatment of type 2 diabetes is aimed to decrease high blood sugar levels. It can be helpful to exercise and follow a diet. It is also recommended to learn the following things: