The Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Type 2 diabetes, also commonly referred to as diabetes mellitus type 2, is a chronic disease that affects how the body processes blood sugar (glucose). In people with diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it does produce. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which helps the body to use glucose for energy.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, accounting for 90-95% of all diabetes cases. It was previously known as adult-onset diabetes because it usually develops in adulthood. However, the increasing rate of obesity is leading to the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents as well.

In the United States, more than 34 million people have diabetes, of which 90-95% have type 2 diabetes. Over the past few decades, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased rapidly worldwide.

Managing this condition requires blood sugar monitoring, medication, and lifestyle changes. Understanding the basics of type 2 diabetes is essential to effectively manage the condition and avoid any complications.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

• Increased Thirst
• Frequent urination
• Feeling hungry
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss
• Slow wound healing
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet

Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetics: Genetics plays an important role. If you have a close family member with type 2 diabetes, your risk of developing it also increases. Certain ethnic groups such as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, American Indians, African Americans, and Hispanic/Latino Americans are at higher risk.
• Weight/Obesity: Excess weight gain, especially around the abdominal area, makes the body more resistant to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is highly associated with obesity and lack of physical activity.
• Physical Inactivity: Inactivity reduces the body’s insulin sensitivity and ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
• Age: The risk increases as you age, especially after 45. The function of insulin-producing beta cells decreases with age. However, as the prevalence of childhood obesity increases, the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is increasing among children, teens and young adults.
• Family History: An increased risk factor includes having a family member with type 2 diabetes. The genetics and shared environment both have an impact on families.
• Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes: Women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
• Complications of diabetes: Type 2 diabetes can cause various serious health complications if left uncontrolled or unmanaged.
• Heart Disease: Diabetes puts a person at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke and heart attack. High blood sugar levels have the potential to damage the blood vessels and nerves that regulate the heart function. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in individuals with diabetes, and having diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing it.
• Stroke: Increased blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels in the brain, leading to a higher risk of stroke. People with diabetes have a 1.5 times higher risk of stroke than people without diabetes. Keeping cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar under control reduces the risk of stroke.
• Kidney Disease: Kidney damage associated with diabetes is known as diabetic nephropathy or diabetic kidney disease. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste. It can lead to kidney failure and kidney disease. Kidney problems can be prevented by regular monitoring and management of blood sugar.
• Eye Damage: Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves in the eyes leading to various eye complications like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Diabetes is the primary cause of blindness in adults. Regular eye exams and timely treatment can prevent severe vision loss and blindness.
• Nerve Damage: Chronically high blood sugar levels can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the nerves, especially in the legs and feet. The condition where nerves get damaged due to diabetes is known as diabetic neuropathy. It can cause tingling, numbness, pain and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Managing blood sugar can prevent or delay nerve damage.

Diagnosis

• Fasting blood sugar test: The fasting blood sugar test is done by measuring the blood glucose level after 8 hours of fasting. If your blood glucose level is between 100-125 mg/dL after fasting, it could be an indication of prediabetes. A level of 126 mg/dL or higher recorded in two different tests detects type 2 diabetes.
• A1C test: The A1C testing system determines the average blood glucose over the last 2 and 3 months. An overall A1C result of 5.7-6.4% portrays a state of prediabetes. An A1C value of 6.5% and above on two different tests diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
• Oral glucose tolerance test: An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a test that you would rather skip after fasting and again 2 hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink. 2 hours of blood sugar level between 140-199 mg/dL is the marketer of prediabetes. When at a level of 200 mg/dL or above it indicates type diabetes 2.

Treatment and Management

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness and usually worsens over time. Nevertheless, there are several ways to delay it, reduce complications and control blood glucose levels.

Lifestyle Changes

• Keeping to healthy eating habits can sound like eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and being low on processed foods, saturated fats, sugars, and refined carbs. In addition, portion control is also playing its role.
• Doing regular physical activity. Aim for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Aerobic exercises like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, strength training and many others aid in blood sugar control and weight loss.
• If you are overweight, try losing weight. Achievement of a 5-10% weight loss can lead to significant improvements in blood sugar, lipids, and blood pressure.
• Giving up smoking and drinking in moderation. Cigarette worsens diabetes complications while alcohol lowers blood sugar.
• To cope up with stress, try relaxing techniques like yoga, meditation, or mindfulness. Stress raises blood sugar.
• Getting enough sleep. Poor sleep is associated with increased A1C levels. Try to have 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

Oral Medications

If lifestyle changes don’t bring blood sugar under control, diabetes medications are usually prescribed. Common oral medications include:

• Metformin – Commonly, the first medicine prescribed because of its proven safety, efficacy, and low cost. It reduces glucose production by the liver and makes insulin work more effectively.
• Sulfonylureas – Increase the release of insulin by stimulating the pancreas. Such examples include glipizide and glimepiride. The other side is the meglitinides which are similar to sulfonylureas but work immediately and for a shorter period. Examples are repaglinide and nateglinide.
• DPP-4 inhibitors – Improve the blood sugar level by interfering with incretin hormones that have the action of increasing insulin release after eating. Examples are sitagliptin and saxagliptin.
• SGLT2 inhibitors – These medications block the reabsorption of glucose through the kidneys, which makes the glucose to be excreted in the urine. Examples include canagliflozin and empagliflozin.
• Thiazolidinediones – Increase the insulin sensitivity level of the muscle, fat and liver cells. Examples are pioglitazone and rosiglitazone.
• GLP-1 receptor agonists – Incretin hormone analogues that stimulate insulin release and lower hyperglycemia. The examples are liraglutide and exenatide.

Insulin Therapy

While oral medications and lifestyle changes are usually enough to control high blood sugar levels for some, others need insulin therapy when all else fails. In this process, insulin is injected into the body to control blood glucose levels. Long-acting insulins can be added to provide a base level while short-acting insulin is given before meals. Insulin plan preparation for patients should be done by the health care provider. Correct injection technique, the right dosage, and glucose monitoring are the main keys.

Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Managing type 2 diabetes daily necessitates maintaining a healthy lifestyle by choosing the right diet, doing regular exercise, sticking to meditation, and maintaining self-care. It can be difficult at first, but when you get the habit right and have support, it becomes easier.

Importance of Self-Care

People with type 2 diabetes must take an active role in managing their health. This includes checking blood sugars, eating a healthy diet, staying active, taking medications properly, and attending doctor’s appointments. Mastering self-care skills can help patients keep their diabetes under control, rather than just barely managing it. Small daily decisions serve as big elements towards improved health.

Coping with Diagnosis

The learning of the person that they have type 2 diabetes has an emotional impact. Several of them have the emotions of rage, the fear, the anxiety, the grief, and the denial. Nevertheless, acceptance is a major component of how to live with diabetes Letting oneself feel these emotions rather than bottling them up is important. Participating in a support group would help people learn from the experiences of others who are facing the same challenges. With time, individuals with diabetes learn to adapt to living with the condition as a new way of life.

Finding Support

It is very important to have a good support network because it is the most important part not only of a diabetes treatment plan but also of the care team. This may comprise families, friends, social support systems, community resources, doctors, nurses, dieticians, and psych specialists. Support groups provide a means for individuals to connect with others who are familiar with the daily challenges of living with diabetes. A lot of individuals discover them useful for exchanging advice and motivation. Friends and family are the vital ones there to provide emotional support and also to manage the tasks involving diabetes with you. Developing a comprehensive collaboration network makes coping with diabetes much easier.

Type 2 Diabetes in Children

Rising rates of type 2 diabetes in children are a major public health concern. Whereas the condition was once rare in youth, over the past few decades rates have increased dramatically. This rise correlates with increasing rates of childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles.

Some of the key causes and risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes in childhood include:

• Obesity
• Family history
• Inactivity
• Ethnic background
• Puberty (Hormonal changes during puberty can increase insulin resistance)
• High birth weight

Treatment for children with type 2 diabetes focuses on lifestyle changes like:

• Weight management involving a healthy eating routine and regular physical activities.
• The medications such as metformin enhance insulin response and regulate blood glucose levels. Some teens may need to take on insulin.
• Daily blood sugar checks to determine the medications necessary and their effectiveness.
• Developing healthy lifestyle habits by working with dietitians and diabetes educators.

Research and Future Outlook

Research into type 2 diabetes is ongoing, creating new treatment options, increasing preventative strategies, and understanding the underlying mechanisms of the condition. Some of the key topics in type 2 diabetes research and future outlook include:

• Personalized medicine: Research is focused on customized approaches to diabetes treatment that reflect individual differences in metabolism, genetics, and lifestyle choices. Individualized treatment approaches can improve disease management and improve outcomes.
• Artificial Pancreas: The development of an artificial pancreas system, which combines automated insulin delivery with continuous glucose monitoring, promises to improve blood sugar regulation and reduce the burden of managing diabetes daily.
• Regenerative medicine: Regenerative medicine techniques such as stem cell therapy and beta cell transplantation are being researched to restore the body’s ability to produce insulin and potentially treat type 2 diabetes.
• Digital Health Solutions: Advances in digital health technologies such as wearables devices, mobile apps and telemedicine platforms allow people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels, track their food and exercise, and connect with healthcare providers more effectively.
• Prevention strategies: Research aims to find the best ways to prevent type 2 diabetes. These include weight-management plans, lifestyle changes, and public health campaigns that focus on risk factors such as obesity and sedentary behavior.

Overall, the future outlook for type 2 diabetes is generally positive, prompting continued research into treatment options, prevention options, and improving outcomes worldwide with the condition. Advancing our understanding of diabetes and implementing innovative care approaches can lead to better management and a cure for type 2 diabetes.