Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is where the body cannot use insulin correctly. As such, this cause sugar to build up in the blood. This type of diabetes was once called adult-onset diabetes.

Similarly to type 1 diabetes, no known causes. However, it is mainly the result of two issues:

• The pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep the blood sugar levels within healthy range.

• Cells in the liver, fat and muscle dont respond to insulin as they should. As a result, the cells dont take in enough sugar.

Where in Type 2 diabetes, the sugar accumulates into the blood instead of moving into the cells. This causes the pancreas to produce more insulin. However over time, the cells in the pancreas that produces insulin becomes damaged. As a result, the cells can't make enough insulin to meet the body's needs. 

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often appear more slowly, where there are people who live with type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Excessive thirst

• Excessive urination 

• Excessive hunger

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue

• Slow healing sores

• Frequents infections

• Numbness and tingling in the hands or feet

• Areas of darkened skin

Unlike type 1 diabetes, where they use insulin. Type 2 diabetes requires medication to keep the glucose levels in a healthy range. Such as:

• Metformin - this medication lowers glucose levels by decreasing the amount of glucose produced in the liver. It also helps lower glucose levels by making muscle tissues more sensitive to insulin so glucose can be used for energy.

• Insulin - in some cases, type 2 diabetics take insulin to help reduce their sugar levels.

These are not all the medications that type 2 diabetics use as their are others. However, metformine is the most common medication for type 2 diabetes.

Factors that may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes include:

• Excessive weight

• Being inactive

• Family history of diabetes

• Prediabetes

Type 2 diabetes affects many organs such as heart, kidney, blood vessels, eyes and nerves. However, managing sugar levels in the blood can lower the risk of complication and other medical conditions including:

• Heart and blood vessel disease: diabetes is linked with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and narrowed blood vessels, called atherosclerosis.

• Nerve damage in the arms and legs and other organs: this is called neuropathy. Where high blood sugar over time can damage or destroy nerves. Neuropathy may cause tingling, numbness, burning, pain or loss of feeling. It most often begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and slowly spreads upward. Damage to the heart nerves can cause irregular heart rhythms. Nerve damage in the digestive system can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.

• Kidney disease: diabetes may cause kidney disease, whether long-term or end-stage. Where end-stage kidney disease may need to be treated with mechanical filtering of the kidneys called dialysis. In dire cases, a kidney transplant is needed.

• Eye damage: diabetes increases the risk of eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataract. Diabetes may also damage the blood vessels of the retina, which may lead to blindness.

• Skin conditions: diabetes may also increase the risk of skin problems, which may include bacterial and fungal infections.

• Slow healing: injuries such as cuts and blisters that aren't treated can become infection, which may heal poorly. This can result in a need to amputate a toe, foot or leg due to severe damage to the area.

Other than these, people with diabetes can also suffer from a hearing impairment, sleep apnea or dementia. As people with diabetes have a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease and other conditions.