What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It occurs when the body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. This used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, as it often develops in people 45 years and older. However, there has been a recent increase in cases of Type 2 diabetes in younger people, especially children and teens.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Type 1 and 2 diabetes are similar in most cases, but here are some signs of Type 2 diabetes:
Rapid weight loss
Frequent urination (polyuria)
Increased thirst (polydipsia)
Frequent hunger (polyphagia)
Fatigue due to insufficient glucose absorbed into the body's cells
Blurry vision
Slow-healing cuts and wounds
Numbness and tingling in your hands and feet
Patches of darker skin on creases of the neck, armpit or groin
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vaginal yeast infections in women
What are the causes?
Type 2 diabetes is mainly caused by insulin resistance. This usually manifests in two ways:
Low glucose absorption: Your muscles, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin as they should. This results in high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia).
High insulin production: When your body cells aren't responding to insulin appropriately, your pancreas produces more insulin, increasing insulin levels (hyperinsulinaemia).
What are some risk factors for developing the disease?
Some risk factors that contribute to insulin resistance include:
Family history of Type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle - a poor diet and lack of physical activity
Obesity or being overweight
Excess body fat, especially in your belly and around your organs
Age - 45 years and older
Having pre-diabetes - a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes.
Having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Having high blood pressure.
How is it diagnosed?
Blood testing is the most common way of diagnosing Type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will order the following tests:
Blood Glucose Test
Random Blood Sugar Test: 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.
Fasting Blood Sugar Test: Less than 100 mg/dL is healthy. 100 to 125 mg/dL is diagnosed as pre-diabetes. 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests is diagnosed as diabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: Less than 140 mg/dL after two hours is considered healthy. 140 to 199 mg/dL is diagnosed as pre-diabetes. 200 mg/dL or higher after two hours suggests diabetes.
How can it be treated/ managed?
Here are ways to manage it and prevent further complications.
Regular Blood Sugar Monitoring: Monitoring blood sugar levels will help patients understand their glucose levels. Medical practitioners can observe trends and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Patients can test their blood sugar at home with a glucometer and record the results.
Eat healthily: Create a balanced diet with a variety of nutritious foods. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are great options. A registered dietitian can help recommend a personalised meal plan.
Prioritise physical activity: Regular exercise helps improve the body's insulin sensitivity and overall well-being.
Oral medication: Medications like Metformin are recommended as most people with type 2 diabetes usually do not need insulin therapy. The type of medication, the dosage and if insulin therapy is needed may change over time. Take medications as prescribed.
Routine checkup: Patients should visit the doctor regularly for checkups and to review the management plan.
At Reliance Health, we partner with Platos health to help enrollees with diabetes manage their symptoms better. Platos Health shared with us key steps involved in managing diabetes.
