Diabetes mellitus type 2 represents a metabolic disease associated with high levels of blood glucose. This is the most common diabetes form (90%) worldwide, compared to other types, in particular gestational and type 1. Unlike diabetes type 1 caused by the failure in the production of insulin, diabetes type 2 is provoked because of the problems with body cells responding to insulin.
Patients with type 2 diabetes produce insulin in a normal way. Diabetes type 2 was known as NIDDM (non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) because most people suffering from this diabetes form do not require artificial insulin. It was formerly known as adult onset diabetes, as it affects adults mostly. But now kids are diagnosed with diabetes type 2 as a result of a rise in obesity rate.
Causes
In most cases, type 2 diabetes happens gradually. It might be provoked by insulin resistance and the secretion of abnormal insulin, so to say insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. In healthy people, body cells (liver, fat, muscle cells) make insulin response, while in people with type 2 diabetes body cells cannot make normal insulin reaction. Insulin function is to enduce body cells to take glucose from the bloodstream to use it as energy. Due to the fact that body cells become resistant to insulin, they cannot utilize glucose from the bloodstream, and this leads to elevated levels of blood glucose or hyperglycemia. Other insulin resistance effects on the metabolism are rise in coronary heart disorders (fat levels get disturbed) and an increase in normal BP. Diabetes type 2 is associated with high blood pressure, obesity, sedantary lifestyle, high cholesterol and some metabolic problems. It can be caused by environmental and hereditary conditions.
Symptoms
Early signs of diabetes type 2 are very mild and they very often cannot be noticed. Lots of the type 2 diabetes symptoms are similar to those of diabetes type 1. The most common signs of diabetes type 2 are:
- polyphagia (extreme hunger)
- polyuria (frequent urination)
- polydipsia (constant thirst)
- fatigue
- blurred vision
- frequent infections
- gain or loss of weight
- wounds and cuts that won’t heal for a long time
- numbness in feet and hands
Here it is worth mentioning that, if untreated, diabetes type 2 may result in some other complications like continual fungal skin infections and different sexual problems.