Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it. Insulin is the hormone responsible for helping glucose (sugar) enter the body’s cells to be used as energy. Without enough effective insulin, blood sugar levels rise, leading to various health problems over time.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 usually develops gradually in adults, but it is increasingly seen in younger people due to lifestyle factors.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
- Insulin resistance – cells stop responding to insulin properly
- Pancreas dysfunction – less insulin is produced over time
- Risk factors include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Physical inactivity
- Family history of diabetes
- Age over 45
- High blood pressure or cholesterol
- Gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Unhealthy diet high in refined sugars and processed foods
Symptoms
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Constant hunger or increased appetite
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing of cuts or wounds
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Unexplained weight loss (less common)
- Frequent infections (e.g., skin, urinary tract)
- Dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans) on neck or armpits
Diagnosis
- Fasting blood glucose test
- HbA1c test (average blood sugar over 2–3 months)
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- Blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher (fasting) typically confirms diabetes
Treatment
- Lifestyle changes are the first line of treatment:
- Healthy, balanced diet
- Regular exercise
- Weight loss (if overweight)
- Medications like metformin or other oral drugs may be needed
- Some people eventually require insulin injections
- Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is important
Complications If Uncontrolled
- Heart disease and stroke
- Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy)
- Eye problems (diabetic retinopathy)
- Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy)
- Foot ulcers or infections
- Increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?
- In some cases, yes. Significant lifestyle changes like losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and regular exercise can bring blood sugar levels back to a non-diabetic range.
- This is called diabetes remission, though it requires lifelong maintenance.