What is type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose). Here are some key points about type 2 diabetes:
- Causes: Type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by lifestyle and genetic factors. Risk factors include being overweight, poor diet, lack of exercise, family history, and advancing age.
- Insulin Resistance: The main mechanism behind type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, meaning the body’s cells don’t respond properly to the hormone insulin. Insulin helps transfer glucose from the bloodstream into the cells for energy and storage.
- Relative Insulin Deficiency: Over time, insulin resistance stresses the pancreas to the point that it struggles to keep up with producing enough insulin to overcome the resistance. This results in persistently high blood sugar levels.
- Symptoms: Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, blurred vision, fatigue, and slow healing of cuts/bruises. However, type 2 diabetes can develop subtly and gradually, so many people have no symptoms.
- Management: Type 2 diabetes requires lifelong management through healthy lifestyle changes as well as monitoring blood sugar levels. If lifestyle changes aren’t sufficient to control blood sugars well, oral medications and possibly insulin therapy are required.
The risks of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes over time can lead to serious complications – stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, nerve problems, and more. So proper management is important for maintaining long-term health. Let me know if you have any other questions!