What Is Type 2 Diabetes
Definition
Diabetes, commonly called diabetes mellitus, is characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). This rate is greater than 1.26g / l (7.7 mmol / l) when dosed on an empty stomach or greater than 2g / l at any time of the day.
Insulin sensitivity (a hormone generated by the pancreatic that permits sugar to enter cells for energy) is present in diabetes mellitus (previously fatty or non-insulin-dependent diabetes), and it is often limited and inactive in the cells (insulin resistance).
Type 2 diabetes is usually detected after 40 years. High blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol in the blood are often associated.
Type 2 diabetes is usually detected after 40 years. High blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol in the blood are often associated.
Diabetes complications
The following are the most common diabetic complications:
Small blood vessel disorders in the kidney (nephropathy) can trigger chronic renal failure, retinopathy in the eyes (retinopathy) could still cause blindness, and neuropathy in the nervous system (neuropathy) can provoke motor and sensory disturbances; violations of the great vessels in the heart, brain, and members can cause a heart attack.
Heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral arterial disease can all be caused by breaches of the major vessels in the heart, brain, and other body parts (obstruction of the arteries by blood clots containing a portion of blood).
In patients with diabetes, the chance of contracting an infection is extremely high.
Excessive hyperglycemia can cause comas and even death.
Cause (s)
Type 2 diabetes can be caused by:
- Genetic abnormalities;
- Hormonal diseases;
- Pathologies of the pancreas;
- Taking certain medications ...
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
- There is a genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes: having a diabetic parent doubles the risk.
- Among the other risk factors:
- The inactivity ;
- Obesity or significant weight gain;
- The existence of a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes occurring during pregnancy);
- A child born weighing more than 4 kg.
Symptoms
Type 2 diabetes is usually asymptomatic (without symptoms) and detected in blood laboratory tests of control.
However, when they exist, the first symptoms are:
- Severe urges to urinate (polyuria), to eat (polyphagia), and to drink (polydipsia);
- Hypotension;
- Behavioral disturbances;
- Tiredness ;
- Nausea or even vomiting;
- Weight loss;
- Visual disturbances;
- Signs of bacterial and fungal infections (fungi).
- Sometimes type 2 diabetes is discovered when there are serious complications associated with the disease:
- Ketoacidosis (severe dehydration and very high blood sugar levels); hyperosmolar coma (serious dehydration and very high blood sugar levels) (build-up of acidic substances and sugar in the blood).
- A medical consultation is required in order to receive timely and suitable treatment.
Suggestion for prevention (s)
Type 2 diabetes can be avoided if you take the right steps.
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
- If you are overweight or obese, lose weight; engage in regular physical activity.
- Avoid complications when diabetes is installed
- Have a medical follow-up.
- Follow his treatment correctly.
- Regularly monitor his blood sugar level (blood sugar level).
- Quickly deal with any infection.
- Treat arterial hypertension and lipid abnormalities (high cholesterol level, etc.) that may be associated.
- Stop smoking.
Get vaccinated against pneumococcus and influenza
Since 2013, it has been recommended that people suffering from diabetes not balanced by a simple diet get the pneumococcal vaccine because of their high risk of contracting an invasive pneumococcal infection. This vaccine protects 80% against pneumococcal pneumonia (23 kinds of pneumococci out of 90).
The initial treatment of type 2 diabetes is based on following an appropriate diet and practicing regular physical activity. The therapeutic education of the patient is one of the pillars of this care. Consultations with a nutritionist are generally advised.
If these measures are not enough to lower the blood sugar level, the doctor will prescribe oral medication, not insulin. Since 2013, health recommendations recommend prescribing metformin alone as a first-line treatment.
In a second step, if this treatment still does not make it possible to reach the set glycemic target, a dual therapy, then a triple therapy, may be considered on the basis of a combination of metformin and sulphonylurea.
At an advanced age, or when oral treatments are no longer sufficient, insulin becomes the standard treatment.
Diabetics must get regular medical checkups.
Diabetics should use suitable equipment to check the amount of sugar in their blood on a frequent basis (many times a day or week).
A full ophthalmologic examination (fundus); an in-depth cardiac examination (electrocardiogram, etc.); a foot examination (high risk of skin damage);
A doctor's regular monitoring is essential: a consultation and biological examination are recommended three to four times a year. Every diabetic should do the following at least once a year:
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