Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and occurs in approximately 90–95% of individuals with diabetes. The condition occurs when the body does not utilize insulin well, increasing blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes, often called adult-onset diabetes, typically develops over many years and is usually diagnosed first in adults. Still, the condition can also occur in children, teens, and young adults. In type 2 diabetes, body cells do not respond typically to insulin (called insulin resistance), causing the pancreas to produce more insulin to have the cells react to the insulin. Eventually, the pancreas can not respond appropriately, and the blood glucose levels rise. In turn, higher blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) can cause other serious health conditions such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.
Typically, type 2 diabetic symptoms often begin slowly and will include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, and weight loss. In addition, the individual can also experience fatigue, blurry vision, sores that heal slowly, frequent infections, tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet, and darkened skin in the armpits and neck. Type 2 diabetes remains the leading cause of diabetes-related complications such as blindness, non-traumatic amputations, and chronic kidney failure requiring dialysis.
While insulin resistance is considered the main contributing factor to causing hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes, the exact cause of the condition is unknown. Researchers believe the reason is complex, and genetics may play a vital role. If an individual has one biological parent with Type 2, there is a 40% risk of developing the condition, while an individual having both biological parents with type 2 will have a 70% risk. (Moreover, researchers have also found at least 150 DNA variations that can be linked to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes). Therefore, a family history of type 2 diabetes, as well as being overweight and inactive, can increase an individual’s risk for type 2.
Treatment for type 2 is typically geared to preventing other medical conditions and can involve one or more of the following:
- Lifestyle changes such as eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly
- Losing extra weight
- Checking blood glucose levels often
- Possible use of medicine to control blood glucose levels (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, sodium-glucose co-transporters type 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors)
