Type 2 diabetes

Published: October 18, 2020

Type 2 diabetes, or diabetes mellitus type 2, is the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the cells in the body ignore insulin. Essentially the body uses insulin to break down the sugar from food and transport it across the body to cells. This conversion of  sugar and starches makes glucose, which is need for energy.

When the body’s cells do not obtain enough glucose due to a lack of insulin being produced, or when the cells ignore the insulin, it can have serious consequences. Firstly, the body’s cells begin starving. Secondly, having consistently high levels of glucose in the blood can seriously damage organs like kidneys, eyes, heart or even nerves.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Lethargy, tiredness
• Weight loss despite increased hunger
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing of infections, cuts

How type 2 diabetes is caused is something that for the moment remains unknown. Physicians have, however, been able to confirm that obesity and a person’s diet may have a large influence on whether one will get type 2 diabetes or not. Here are some of the risk factors involved:

• Weight (the more fatty tissue you have, the more your cells will develop a resistance to insulin)
• Inactivity (the less active you are, the higher your chances are of developing type 2 diabetes)
• Family history
• Age (the older you are, the higher your chances are)
• Race (Hispanics, African-Americans, American-Asians and American Indians more likely to develop this illness for unknown reasons)
• Prediabetes (when an individual has higher than normal glucose levels in their blood, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. These cases often turn into type 2 diabetes).

Having type 2 diabetes can cause serious complications. Click to read more about complications caused by type 2 diabetes.

The primary plan of action when diagnosed with this form of diabetes is to begin exercising, lose weight, and eat meals that don’t contain too much sugar or starches that would require breaking down. However, in many cases, this is not enough. Medication is often prescribed to patients. Type 2 diabetes patients may use different pills to manage their diabetes.

Celebrities who suffer from type 2 diabetes include Halle Berry and Brittany Murphy.

Celebrities who suffer from type 1 diabetes include Nick Jonas and Bret Michaels.

What is type 1 diabetes?

Click to read about Salma Hayek‘s experience with gestational diabetes.

Image: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1095556

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Published October 18, 2020 by Carolin W. in Health Conditions
Tags: diabetes, insulin, pancreas, type 2