What is Type 2 Diabetes?
The most common type of diabetes is type 2. In this type, insulin in the body is not used as it should be and the level of sugar in the blood increases. Type 2 diabetes used to be known as a disease that adults and elderly people could get. However, it is a disease that people of all ages can get. It can also affect young people, especially those with childhood obesity.
What are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes can show very mild symptoms when it first occurs. Therefore, you may not realize it and therefore there may be a late diagnosis. Type 2 diabetes symptoms can be listed as follows:
- Constant thirst,
- Too much urination,
- Blurred vision,
- Tingling or numbness in the hand or foot,
- Don't feel tired,
- Delayed healing of wounds,
- Recurrent yeast infections,
- Constant hunger
- Weight loss without trying to lose weight,
- Constant infections.
Another sign that the body is becoming resistant to insulin can be a dark rash in or around the armpits. These dark rashes are called acanthosis nigricans. However, it cannot be said that these rashes are definitely caused by diabetes. It may only be an indicator. Therefore, it is useful to be examined by your specialist doctor.
What are the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes?
The causes of type diabetes vary from person to person. However, there are some main causes.
- The structure of genes: There may be different pieces of DNA that affect the way insulin is produced in the body.
- Weight: Being overweight or obese can cause insulin resistance.
- Metabolic syndrome: People with metabolic syndrome can often have insulin resistance.
- Liver: Normally, excess glucose in a human body is stored in the liver. However, in some people this does not happen and the blood sugar level is constantly elevated after eating.
- Cells: Sometimes cells can send the wrong signals to each other or the incoming signal can be misunderstood by the cell. If the cells produce glucose as a result, this can lead to diabetes.
- Beta cells: When insulin-producing cells release insulin into the body at the wrong time, blood sugar drops. The high blood sugar at that moment can damage these cells.
What are the Stages of Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes consists of 4 stages. These are insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and type 2 diabetes with vascular complications. In the insulin resistance stage, the body usually produces enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range. However, if cells resist insulin, the body produces more insulin. This can be temporary or permanent.
Prediabetes Stage
Insulin resistance causes glucose to build up in the blood. Blood sugar levels are then higher than normal. However, it does not enter the diabetes limits. At this point, you are considered to be in the prediabetes stage. You may not have any symptoms at this stage. But prediabetes can increase the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart diseases in the future.
You are considered to have diabetes when the A1c rate in the body is higher than 6.5%. At this point, you may have typical symptoms such as constant thirst and blurred vision. In the last stage, type 2 diabetes with vascular complications, your diabetes has led to vascular diseases. Damage to the vessels in the eyes and kidneys can occur. You may also face problems such as stroke.
Who is at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?
Some conditions can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. These can be listed as follows:
- Being 45 years of age or older,
- Having a family member with diabetes,
- Medical history of insulin resistance, prediabetes, heart and blood vessel diseases, high blood pressure, good cholesterol,
Being overweight or obese, - Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
- Apart from these conditions, lifestyle can also increase the risk of diabetes. These include lack of exercise, smoking, stress, too much or too little sleep.
Are There Side Effects of Type 2 Diabetes?
When type 2 diabetes is not under control, it can invite many diseases.
- If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be twice as likely to develop heart disease even at a young age.
- The kidneys can be damaged in the progressive process, which can lead to kidney failure.
- High levels of sugar in the blood can damage the small blood vessels at the back of the eye. If left untreated, this can lead to blindness.
- There may be numbness, especially in the feet and digestive nerves.
- Wounds may heal later and become infected due to poor blood circulation.
- You may experience sleep apnea (respiratory arrest during sleep).
- You may have problems with hearing.
- High levels of sugar in the blood can damage the brain. This can lead to Alzheimer's disease.
Can Type 2 Diabetes be Prevented?
You can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by adopting a healthy lifestyle. If you are overweight, losing 7-10% of your current weight can halve your risk of diabetes. You can try to be active during the day. You can start with brisk walking for 30 minutes a day. You can lower your risk by watching your diet, avoiding processed foods, sugary foods and saturated fats. If you smoke, you can try to quit.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 and 2 diabetes can be confused with each other. However, they are fundamentally different types of diabetes based on different causes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot produce insulin. This is because the immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, a little insulin is produced in the body. But it shows resistance to the insulin produced.
How is Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed?
There are some tests for type 2 diabetes. These tests can be done on 2 different days to make the diagnosis accurate. However, if your doctor is sure that you have type 2 diabetes, a single test may be sufficient. A1c, fasting plasma glucose and oral glucose tolerance tests can be performed. A1c value shows the average blood sugar level in the last 2-3 months. Fasting plasma glucose is the measurement of blood sugar on an empty stomach. You cannot eat anything for 8 hours before this test. In the oral glucose tolerance test, blood glucose is checked before and 2 hours after eating something sweet. Your specialist doctor evaluates the results of these tests and decides whether you have type 2 diabetes.
How is Type 2 Diabetes Controlled?
The process of type 2 diabetes can be complicated. However, you can minimize your symptoms by adopting as healthy a lifestyle as possible. With the help of a dietitian, you can plan your medication and diet. A healthy diabetes diet limits processed foods, reduces added sugars and favors non-starchy vegetables. The better you manage the disease, the less likely it is to lead to other diseases. Therefore, in addition to a regular diet and exercise, you can monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and go for regular eye and dental check-ups.
Home Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
At the same time, you can check your feet for swelling and redness and report it to your doctor in the slightest case. Since insomnia can increase blood sugar, you can take care to get regular sleep. If you have sleep problems, you can overcome this by consulting your doctor. It is important to limit yourself in terms of alcohol consumption in order to maintain your health.
Medication Use in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
You can minimize your Type 2 diabetes symptoms by using the medicines prescribed by your doctor regularly.
Type 2 diabetes medication names can be listed as follows:
- Metformin,
- Sulfonylurea
- Meglitinite
- Insulin
If you think you have symptoms of Type 2 diabetes or are at risk of developing it, you can maintain your health by consulting a specialist doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas cannot produce insulin or the body cannot use insulin.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic diseases that cause problems controlling blood sugar levels. However, there are important differences between the two diseases. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections throughout their lives to control their blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin. The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown, but factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle and family history are thought to play a role. People with type 2 diabetes can try to control their blood sugar with diet, exercise and medication.
Is Type 2 Diabetes Completely cured?
Type 2 diabetes is not completely cured. However, with lifestyle changes and medication, it is possible to lower blood sugar to normal levels and prevent complications that diabetes can cause. The basis of treatment for type 2 diabetes is to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes healthy eating, regular exercise and maintaining an ideal weight. Healthy eating plays an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes should eat a diet with low glycemic index carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins to control blood sugar.
What is a Diabetes Nurse?
The diabetes nurse has a major role in the management of the disease in the triangle of education, counseling and medical treatment with a holistic approach. Provides the necessary trainings for correct use in areas that require technical skills such as blood glucose meters, insulin injections, continuous blood glucose measurement systems, insulin pump systems and repeats these trainings when necessary. Provides training to the patient on issues such as self-care and management of emergency problems.
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
