Type 2 diabetes: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Medical Terminology

Today, unlike a few years ago, more people are becoming diagnosed with lifestyle diseases. This trend has been attributed to poor eating habits, lack of exercise, smoking etc. Common lifestyle diseases include but are not limited to diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart disease. This text will concern itself with type 2 diabetes and its causes, symptoms, diagnosis as well as treatment amongst other things.

Causes

According to Medifocus (2011), "in type 2 diabetes, the actions and secretion of insulin are impaired, as opposed to the absolute deficiency of insulin that occurs with type 1 diabetes mellitus." It therefore follows that with type 2 diabetes; the body either resists insulin and its effects or fails to produce enough insulin for the maintenance of acceptable levels of glucose. Insulin in the human body is primarily produced by the pancreas.

Symptoms

It can be noted that the symptoms for type 2 diabetes develop over time and an individual may be living with the condition without knowing it. However, the condition has a number of common symptoms. Some of the main symptoms of the condition include increased thirst and hunger. An individual with the condition may also develop acanthosis nigricans. This is a condition occasioned by the development of dark patches of skin in some parts of the body. Other symptoms include but are not limited to erectile dysfunction, blurred vision etc.

Risk Factors

Some risk factors in this case include obesity (cells become resistant to insulin as a result of fatty tissue), family history of diabetes, age and prediabetes. In the case of prediabetes, the level of blood sugar is significantly high but not high enough for it to be considered a case of type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is yet another risk factor.

Complications

The main body organs affected by type 2 diabetes include the kidneys, eyes, nerves, blood vessels and the heart. When it comes to the effects on the heart, those having type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing angina, hypertension, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and a host of other cardiovascular diseases. This condition also affects capillaries hence triggering neuropathy (damage to nerves). The damage caused to the kidney is what causes nephropathy. In regard to eye damage, some of the complications type 2 diabetes can occasion include glaucoma and cataracts. Other complications of the condition include Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis.

Tests and Diagnosis

Basically, there are several recommended testing procedures for type 2 diabetes. These methods include but are not limited to "fasting plasma glucose test (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), hemoglobin A1c test, random blood glucose test" etc. (Medifocus 2011).

Conclusion

It is important to note that in basic terms, the key to diabetes management lies with a combination of medications and adjustment to lifestyle. Further, it is recommended that individuals with diabetes learn as much as possible about the condition so that they can be prepared to adjust their lives accordingly. It is hoped that with more advancements in the medical field going forward, the management and treatment of diabetes will become easier.