Type 2 diabetes is a common chronic condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose). This guide explains the condition, its causes, symptoms, treatments, and how to manage living with it.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin (a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels) or when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can cause long-term complications if untreated.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, which usually develops in childhood or adolescence, type 2 diabetes typically develops later in life and is often linked to lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity. However, genetics also play a significant role.
Background on Type 2 Diabetes
- History: Type 2 diabetes has been recognised for centuries and is now one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide.
- Global Impact: It is a major public health issue, contributing to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other complications.
Causes, Incidence, and Prevalence
Causes
Type 2 diabetes develops due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors:
- Insulin Resistance: The body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels.
- Genetics: A family history of diabetes increases your risk.
- Lifestyle Factors: Being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet contribute significantly to the development of type 2 diabetes.
Incidence and Prevalence
- Incidence: Around 4 million new cases of type 2 diabetes are diagnosed annually worldwide.
- Prevalence: Approximately 10% of adults globally have type 2 diabetes, with higher rates in developed countries due to sedentary lifestyles and dietary habits.
Who is Affected?
- Age of Onset: Type 2 diabetes typically develops after the age of 45 but is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people due to rising obesity rates.
- Gender: Both men and women are equally affected.
- Ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups, including South Asians, African-Caribbeans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Geographic Distribution
Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in urbanised areas with higher rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Countries with the highest prevalence include India, China, the United States, and parts of the Middle East.
How Does Type 2 Diabetes Impact You?
Symptoms
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop gradually and may include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination.
- Fatigue or low energy levels.
- Blurred vision.
- Slow-healing wounds or frequent infections.
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet (a sign of nerve damage).
Living With Type 2 Diabetes
Living with type 2 diabetes involves managing your blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes and medical treatment to prevent complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage (neuropathy), and vision loss (diabetic retinopathy).
Expected Life Expectancy
With proper management, many people with type 2 diabetes live long and healthy lives. However, uncontrolled diabetes can reduce life expectancy due to complications.
Managing and Treating Type 2 Diabetes
Available Treatments
Treatment for type 2 diabetes focuses on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels to prevent complications:
Lifestyle Changes:
- Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting sugary foods and refined carbohydrates.
- Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (e.g., brisk walking). Exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity.
- Weight Management: Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly improve blood sugar control.
Medications:
- Metformin: The first-line medication for most people with type 2 diabetes; it reduces glucose production in the liver.
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin): Help lower blood sugar by increasing glucose excretion through urine.
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (e.g., semaglutide): Improve insulin secretion and help with weight loss.
- Insulin Therapy: Used in advanced cases when other treatments are insufficient.
Regular Monitoring:
- Check your blood sugar levels regularly using a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring device.
- Have regular HbA1c tests (a blood test that measures average blood sugar levels over three months).
Ongoing Clinical Research
Research into type 2 diabetes continues to focus on improving treatment options and understanding its causes:
- New Medications: Trials are underway for drugs that target inflammation or improve insulin sensitivity.
- Artificial Pancreas Systems: Devices combining continuous glucose monitoring with automated insulin delivery are being developed.
- Gene Therapy: Scientists are exploring ways to modify genes involved in insulin production or resistance.
For information on clinical trials related to type 2 diabetes, visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Support Groups and Resources
If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, connecting with support groups can provide valuable information and emotional support:
- Diabetes UK (org.uk)– Offers resources for managing diabetes in the UK.
- American Diabetes Association (ADA) (org) – Provides education on living with diabetes globally.
- International Diabetes Federation (IDF) (org)– Focuses on global advocacy for people living with diabetes.
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) (org.uk) – Supports research into better treatments for all types of diabetes.
