Type 2 Diabetes: Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes, or non insulin dependent diabetes, is a medical condition where:

1. There is resistance to insulin.

That is, insulin is produced by the body, but because there is resistance to it's effects at the cells of the body, the insulin doesn't work.

2. It is associated with being overweight or obese.

3. It is also associated with other conditons, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia.

In terms of being associated with obesity, it is especially the central obesity with a high waist to hip ratio, or 'apple shaed' body, that diabetes type 2 is associated.

Who Gets Diabetes Type 2?

Type 1 diabetes occurs typically in older age groups, especially those who are overweight, but can also occur in people who are normal weight.

However, more recently, type 2 diabetes has been increasingly seen in younger people, even children.

This is because of poor eating habits, lack of exercise and obesity in children.

What Symptoms Occur In Diabetes Type 2 And Why?

Because the insulin is not as effective (there is resistance to its effects) the blood glucose levels rises, and causes diabetes symptoms such as increased thirst, drinking and urination.

In fact, because of the resistance to insulin, the amount of insulin produced increases to try and compensate for the resistance. In the beginning, this may work to keep glucose levels under control.

But as the body becomes more resistant to insulin, the blood sugar levels are no longer controlled, and diabetes and it's symptoms occur.

Diabetic symptoms include increased thirst, drinking and urination, and increased infections.

Occasionally in type 2 diabetes, the blood glucose levels go up excessively, and results in unwellness, severe dehydration, loss of consciousness, and coma.

This is a medical emergency that needs urgent treatment.

How Do You Treat Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is treated with a combination of a healthy diet, exercise (as long as the person is fit to exercise eg does not have angina problems), and if needed oral medications.

Sometimes, if oral medications fail, insulin is needed in type 2 diabetes.

Treating associated problems such as obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol is important as well.

Also, monitoring by the diabetic with glucose meters, as well as the doctor in terms of blood tests and specialist appointments and reviews, are important.

What Are The Complications Of Diabetes Type 2 If Not Treated Adequately?

If type 2 diabetes is not treated adequately, problems can occur.

If treated well, then most of these problems can be avoided.

Short Term Complications Of Type 2 Diabetes

  • Symptoms of diabetes such as increased thirst, drinking, urination
  • Diabetic coma
  • Problems with increased infections (the immune system doesn't perform well in diabetes that's not well controlled)
  • Side effects of medications for diabetes

Long Term Complications Of Type 2 Diabetes

Eye and vision problems: Increased risk of cataracts, retinal problems, loss of vision

Nerve problems (neuropathy): Numbness, pins and needles, pain in the feet and hands

Impotence in males

Cardiac or heart problems: Angina, heart attacks, heart failure

Kidney damage and kidney failure

Arterial problems eg in the legs: Claudication, leg pain, gangrene

There is also the risk of increased infections eg in the feet.

This is because of a lack of feeling in the are and hence not knowing that eg a cut is present, poor circulation, as well as immune system if blood glucose levels are not controlled.

So when it comes to diabetes type 2, it is well worth it to treat it well, to avoid the short term and long term problems that you can get with diabetes.

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