Type 2 Diabetes - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Diabetes Finger Blood Glucose

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels exceed normal values. High blood sugar levels are caused by the body not using the hormone insulin normally. The hormone insulin itself is a hormone that helps sugar (glucose) enter the body's cells to be converted into energy.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults and the elderly. However, now type 2 diabetes is also starting to be found in children and adolescents.

Patients with type 2 diabetes can experience various symptoms, some of which is the appearance of blackened body parts, wounds that are difficult to heal, and blurred vision. However, these symptoms take a long time to appear and be felt by the sufferer. In fact, this condition has the potential to go unnoticed until complications occur.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

Some risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including:
  • Being overweight or obese.
  • High distribution of belly fat.
  • Sedentary lifestyle and infrequent activity or exercise.
  • Family history of type 2 diabetes.
  • Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian-American races have higher rates of sufferers than whites.
  • Age above 45 years, although it is possible to occur before the age of 45 years. Prediabetes, which is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
  • History of diabetes during pregnancy.
  • Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, which are characterized by irregular menstruation, excessive hair growth, and obesity.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

The pancreas organ in the body produces a hormone called insulin which plays a role in controlling sugar levels in the blood. Insulin functions to move glucose from the blood into the body's cells to be converted into energy. In people with type 2 diabetes, what happens is:
  • The patient's body does not produce insulin in sufficient quantities to control blood glucose levels to remain within normal limits.
  • The patient's body produces enough insulin, but the body's cells do not use it properly as they should. This condition is called insulin resistance. People who are obese are at risk for insulin resistance because high levels of fat in the body can make it difficult for the body to use insulin properly. In addition, heredity or family history of type 2 diabetes can also increase a person's risk of developing the disease.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

  • Frequent urination, especially at night.
  • Often feel thirsty.
  • Often feel hungry.
  • Weight loss.
  • Wounds that are difficult to heal.
  • Easy to get the infection.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Fatigue.
  • Pain or numbness in the feet and hands.
  • Tingling.
  • Itching in the genitals in women.
  • Erectile dysfunction in men.

Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

The doctor will diagnose type 2 diabetes by conducting medical interviews, physical examinations, and supporting examinations, such as fasting blood glucose tests, current blood glucose tests, oral glucose tolerance tests, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests.

Complications of Type 2 Diabetes

Some of the complications of type 2 diabetes include:
  • Cardiovascular disease.
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy).
  • Damage to the feet.
  • Eye damage.
  • Kidney damage.
  • Skin disorders.
  • Sexual dysfunction in men.
  • Miscarriage or stillbirth.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Until now, type 2 diabetes cannot be cured. Lifestyle changes and drug administration aim to control blood glucose levels so that they can be normal and stable, and prevent further complications.

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Healthy lifestyle changes that can be made include:

  • Avoid high-glucose or high-fat foods.
  • Increase high-fiber foods.
  • Do sports regularly, at least 3 hours a week.
  • Lose and maintain ideal body weight.
  • Avoid or quit smoking.
  • Avoid or stop consuming alcoholic beverages.
  • Maintain foot health and prevent foot injury.
  • Check the condition of eye health regularly.
Administration of diabetes drugs under the supervision of a doctor. These drugs include:

  • Metformin to reduce blood glucose levels.
  • Sulfonylureas to increase insulin production in the pancreas.
  • Pioglitazone as insulin trigger.
  • Gliptin (DPP-4 inhibitor) to prevent the breakdown of GLP-1.
  • SGLT-2 blockers that affect urine.
  • GLP-1 agonist to trigger insulin production without the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Acarbose slows down the digestion of carbohydrates.
  • Nateglinide and repaglinide are useful for releasing insulin into the bloodstream.
  • Insulin therapy in addition to other drugs.
  • Other drugs are given to reduce the risk of complications, such as statins and antihypertensive drugs.
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Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes

Some efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes, among others:
  • Maintain an ideal body weight by eating a low-fat diet.
  • Eat high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables.
  • Reduce consumption of sugary foods and drinks.
  • Exercise regularly and do lots of physical activity.
  • Reducing prolonged sitting still, such as when watching television.
  • Avoid or quit smoking.

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