Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis& Treatment

Introduction

Energy for regular bodily processes comes from glucose. Due to a partial or total lack of insulin, blood glucose levels rise in people with diabetes. One type of hormone is insulin. A hormone is a substance that our bodies’ glands secrete. The pancreas is the gland’s name, located in the abdomen. Insulin serves as a gatekeeper, permitting glucose to enter the cell.

A surplus of glucose builds up in the body and damages the cells in different organs if the body produces too little insulin or if the insulin’s effectiveness is compromised. Diabetes is a metabolic disease where the body cannot metabolize glucose to meet its energy needs. As previously stated, insulin is necessary for the entry of glucose into cells. For this reason, when cells are unable to use glucose to their full potential, the body attempts to generate additional glucose (a process known as gluconeogenesis). As a result, blood glucose levels continue to rise even in the absence of food.

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes can be classified into two primary types: type 1 and type 2. Gestational diabetes, the third kind, only appears during pregnancy. Some forms of diabetes are brought on by genetic flaws, pancreatic disorders, particular medications or substances, infections, and other ailments. Certain individuals exhibit symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Although it can occur in adults as well, type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, primarily affects young individuals. Because the immune system, which typically guards against infection by eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous organisms, has attacked and destroyed the cells that produce insulin, a person’s body cannot make enough insulin if they have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes type 2, formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, can strike anyone at any age, even young children. However, middle-aged and older individuals are most likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are also more prone to be overweight and sedentary.

Insulin resistance, which happens when liver, muscle, and fat cells fail to use insulin to transport glucose into the body’s cells for energy, is typically the first sign of type 2 diabetes. To facilitate glucose entry into cells, the body must produce more insulin. Initially, the pancreas produces more insulin to meet the increased demand. Over time, when blood sugar levels rise, as they do after meals, the pancreas becomes less and less capable of producing insulin. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is required if the pancreas is unable to produce adequate insulin.

Gestational diabetes

A pregnant woman may develop gestational diabetes. Hormones produced by pregnant women may contribute to insulin resistance. By the end of their pregnancy, all women experience insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a pregnant woman’s pancreas fails to produce adequate insulin.

Women who are overweight or obese have a higher likelihood of developing gestational diabetes. Additionally, gaining too much weight while pregnant raises the risk of gestational diabetes.

After the baby is born, gestational diabetes typically disappears. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is more likely to strike a woman once she has experienced gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and obesity are also more common in children whose moms had gestational diabetes.

Causes of diabetes

Diabetes, of any kind, is caused by an excess of glucose in the bloodstream. Depending on the type of diabetes, there are various causes for high blood sugar levels.

Causes of diabetes include:

Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance is the leading cause of type 2 diabetes. When cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t react to insulin as they should, you develop insulin resistance. Various illnesses and circumstances, such as heredity, obesity, inactivity, poor food, hormone imbalances, and some drugs, can lead to varied degrees of insulin resistance.

Autoimmune disease: Your immune system attacks the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin, which causes type 1 diabetes and LADA.

Hormonal imbalances: The placenta releases substances that cause insulin resistance throughout pregnancy. You could have gestational diabetes if your pancreas is unable to make enough insulin to get past insulin resistance. Two other hormone-related illnesses, acromegaly and Cushing syndrome, can also have type 2 diabetes as a side effect.

Pancreatic damage: Physical harm, such as that resulting from an illness, surgery, or accident, may affect your pancreas’ ability to make insulin, which may induce Type 3c diabetes.

Genetic mutations: MODY and neonatal diabetes can be brought on by specific genetic mutations.

Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes symptoms include:

• Dry tongue and increased thirst (polydipsia).
• Frequent urination.
• Fatigue.
• Visual impairment.
• Unaccounted-for weight loss.
• Tingling or numbness in your feet or hands.
• Slow-to-heal wounds or sores.
• Recurring yeast infections on the skin or in the vagina.

The following are some specifics regarding the symptoms associated with each kind of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes symptoms might arise rapidly over a few weeks or months. Additional signs of a dangerous complication known as diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA) may occur in you. DKA is a potentially lethal disorder that must be addressed promptly. Symptoms of DKA include dyspnea, fruity-smelling breath, vomiting, and stomach discomfort.

Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: Because these conditions develop slowly, you may not have any symptoms at all or may not even notice them. Routine blood testing may detect a high blood sugar level before you have any symptoms. Darker skin in particular body parts, or acanthosis nigricans, is another likely sign of prediabetes.

Gestational diabetes: Usually, gestational diabetes does not show any signs. When you are between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, your healthcare professional will test you for gestational diabetes.

Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed using the following blood tests:

1. Fasting plasma glucose test: This test measures your blood sugar level after an eight-hour fast. If the result is 126 mg/dL or higher, it indicates diabetes.

2. Random plasma glucose test: This test measures blood sugar at any time without fasting. A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or greater indicates diabetes.

3. A1C test: This test shows the average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. An A1C level of 6.5% or greater indicates diabetes.

Treatment and management

Diabetes management consists of four key components, which are:

Blood sugar monitoring: An important way to assess how well your current treatment plan is working is to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels, or glucose levels. It provides you with guidance on how to take care of your diabetes on a daily, and occasionally even hourly, basis. Two methods for keeping track of your levels are to use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or to perform regular tests with a finger stick and glucose meter. The ideal blood sugar range for you will be decided upon by you and your healthcare practitioner.

Oral diabetes medications: Mainly for Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, oral diabetes medications (given orally) assist control of blood sugar levels in diabetics who still make some insulin. Additionally, oral medication may be required for people with gestational diabetes. There are numerous varieties. The most widely used is metformin.

Insulin: To survive and control their diabetes, people with Type 1 diabetes must inject synthetic insulin. For some persons with Type 2 diabetes, insulin is also necessary. Artificial insulin comes in a variety of forms. They all come into your body at different rates and leave at different periods. Insulin pens, insulin pumps, injectable insulin administered via syringe, and rapid-acting inhaled insulin are the four primary forms of insulin administration.

Diet: Since food has a significant impact on blood sugar levels, meal planning and selecting a balanced diet are essential components of managing diabetes. Keeping track of the number of carbohydrates in the food and beverages you consume is an important part of treating diabetes. How much insulin you require at meals depends on how much carbohydrates you consume. Maintaining a healthy weight and lowering your risk of heart disease can both be achieved with good eating habits.

Exercise: As physical activity both lowers insulin resistance and promotes insulin sensitivity, all diabetics must engage in regular exercise as part of their care.

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition that can be avoided by modifying one’s diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding becoming overweight or obese. Public education remains critical for combating this new epidemic. Despite the introduction of new drugs and an improved understanding of the disease’s etiology, there is no known treatment for the sickness. The management of type 2 diabetes patients must be individualized to improve their quality of life.