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Understanding Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Key Takeaways

  • Insulin resistance develops gradually over years, with the pancreas initially compensating by producing up to 5 times normal insulin levels before eventually failing to keep up.
  • Classic symptoms—excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision—often don't appear until blood sugar exceeds 180 mg/dL, meaning many cases go undiagnosed for 5-7 years.
  • Adults over 35 should get screened every 3 years, but those with BMI over 25 plus risk factors like family history or sedentary lifestyle need annual testing starting at age 35.
  • Metformin reduces liver glucose production by 20-30% and is typically started at 500mg twice daily, while newer GLP-1 medications like semaglutide can achieve 10-15 pound weight loss alongside glucose control.
  • Hemoglobin A1C target should be below 7% for most adults, with each 1% reduction cutting risk of eye, kidney, and nerve complications by 25-40%.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes glucose, a type of sugar. It is the most common form of diabetes, affecting about 1 in 10 people in the U.S. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body either doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't use it effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, including:

  • Genetics

  • Being overweight or obese

  • Physical inactivity

  • Age (45 or older)

  • Family history of diabetes

  • Ethnicity (higher risk for African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans)

  • High blood pressure

  • Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Symptoms

Type 2 diabetes symptoms can be mild and may develop gradually. Some common signs include:

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination

  • Blurred vision

  • Fatigue

  • Slow-healing wounds

  • Numbness or tingling in hands or feet

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Recurrent infections

Diagnosis and Stages

Your doctor can diagnose type 2 diabetes through blood tests, such as the A1C test, fasting plasma glucose test, or oral glucose tolerance test. Type 2 diabetes progresses through several stages:

  1. Insulin resistance

  2. Prediabetes

  3. Type 2 diabetes

  4. Type 2 diabetes with vascular complications

Treatment Options

Managing type 2 diabetes involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Some essential components of treatment include:

Lifestyle Changes

  • Maintaining a healthy weight

  • Eating a balanced diet low in processed foods and added sugars

  • Engaging in regular physical activity

  • Monitoring blood sugar levels

Medication

If lifestyle changes alone don't control blood sugar levels, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as:

  • Metformin

  • Sulfonylureas

  • Thiazolidinediones

  • DPP-4 inhibitors

  • GLP-1 receptor agonists

  • SGLT2 inhibitors

  • Insulin

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Complications and Prevention

Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, vision problems, and nerve damage. To prevent these complications and lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight

  • Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

  • Exercising regularly

  • Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

By understanding type 2 diabetes, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, you can take steps to manage the condition effectively and improve your overall health and well-being. Work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized management plan and make necessary lifestyle changes to keep your blood sugar levels under control.

For more information on type 2 diabetes, visit:

The Bottom Line

Early detection through regular screening is crucial since symptoms often don't appear until significant damage has occurred. Combining modest weight loss with medication can effectively prevent progression from prediabetes and reduce complications by nearly half. If you're experiencing unexplained fatigue, increased thirst, or have risk factors, Doctronic can help you assess your symptoms and determine if testing is needed.

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