World Diabetes Day (14 November)

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 - What is it?

Diabetes is a common health problem in the world. In diabetes, the body does not use the food it digests well. It is hard for the body to use carbohydrates and fats. The main marker of diabetes is high blood sugar (“glucose”). Your blood sugar is kept in check by insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. When you get diabetes, it is related to two things:

  • The amount of insulin your body makes.
  • How well your body’s cells use insulin.

There are two different types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Only about 5% of people have type 1. Type 1 used to be called other names (“juvenile diabetes”, “insulin-dependent diabetes”). In type 1, the pancreas does not make insulin. It usually starts as a child or teen. Type 2 often starts after age 40.

Type 2 used to be called other names too (“adult-onset diabetes”). Obese teens can also get type 2. In type 2, your pancreas makes insulin. But it does not make enough insulin. Or your body cannot use the insulin as well. This often happens when you are obese. At first, your body will make more insulin to try to keep up. But, when the body can no longer keep up, diabetes comes on. Type 2 often runs in families.

Symptoms of type 2 come from high blood sugar. They include:

  • Frequent urination.
  • Extreme thirst and hunger.
  • Weight loss.
  • More likely to get skin and vaginal infections.
  • Infections or cuts that heal very slowly or not at all.

Blood sugar that is not in control can lead to a coma. There are two types of comas:

  • The form that happens in type 1 diabetes (called “ketoacidosis”).
  • The form that happens in type 2 diabetes (called “hyperosmolar”) You may take insulin or pills to make your blood sugar go down. If your blood sugar drops too far you will get low blood sugar (called “hypoglycaemia”).

Your doctor will use your fasting blood tests to see if you have diabetes. There is no cure for diabetes. It lasts your whole life. Type 2 can get much better in some obese people who lose weight and keep it off.

You can help prevent type 2 diabetes. You should keep your body weight within the normal range for your height. This is key if diabetes runs in your family. If you already have diabetes, it is not too late. You can delay or stop later problems (retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy). Be sure to keep tight control of your blood sugar. Manage your weight. You should not smoke. Reduce your blood pressure. Reduce your fat intake. Start with exercise.

Most people who have type 2 can control their blood sugar with pills at first. You may use pills for many years. But, over time, you may need insulin. Or you may need insulin right away. Your doctor will advise which medicine is right for you.

Type 2 diabetes can have a good outcome. There are things you must do to help. Control your blood sugar. Maintain a normal weight. Reduce your risk factors for heart disease.

DIABETES

  • 463 million adults (1-in-11) were living with diabetes in 2019.
  • The number of peolpe living with diabetes is expected to rise to 578 million by 2030.
  • 1 in 2 adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed (232 million). The majority have type 2 diabetes.
  • More than 3 in 4 people with diabetes live in low and middle-income countries.
  • 1 in 6 live births (20 million) are affected by high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) in pregnancy.
  • Two-thirds of people with diabetes live in urban areas and three-quarters are of working age.
  • 1 in 5 people with diabetes (136 million) are above 65 years old.
  • Diabetes caused 4.2 million deaths in 2019.