Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus has the same characteristic of hyperglycemia that is also seen in type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. However, the mechanism by which this develops is different. Instead of failing to produce insulin completely, which is a hallmark of type 1, type 2 Diabetes Mellitus involves the production of insulin by the pancreas but in insufficient amounts and the development of insulin resistance by the body.
Insulin is an important enzyme that is specifically secreted by Beta cells of the pancreas and is in charge of regulating blood glucose levels. Insulin is secreted in response to food consumption, which subsequently triggers the liver, muscle cells and fat cells to extract glucose from the blood in order to be stored and used as future energy. This process prevents glucose from accumulating in the blood stream leading to hyperglycemia that has detrimental effects on the body such as heart disease and nerve damage. However, a continuous elevated blood glucose level, as seen in patients who are obese for example, will prompt the body to produce more insulin than usual in order to bring back the blood glucose to normal levels. Eventually, the beta cells of the pancreas will be unable to keep up with the body’s demands and become impaired. The mechanism by which the body develops insulin resistance is postulated to be multifactorial with genetics and environmental factors that include obesity and inactivity as the main contributing factors.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is the more common type of diabetes worldwide. In fact, 90% of all Diabetes Mellitus cases can be attributed to type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Although it is often seen in adults, this disease is fast increasing in children, adolescents and young adults.
Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Signs and symptoms of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are often mild and develop slowly through the years. In fact, a number of patients are oblivious of having the disease until late in the disease process.
- The classic symptoms of the disease are the following:
- Polyuria or increased frequency of urination
- Polydipsia or increased thirst
- Polyphagia or increase hunger
- Weight loss and fatigue
- Blurring of vision
- Increased susceptibility to infections such as vaginal yeast infection in females and balanitis in men
- Retarded healing process of sores and wounds
- Numbness or tingling sensation of the hands and feet
Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Developing type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a combination of genetics and environmental factors. However, the following risk factors are said to increase the risk of developing this disease.
- Being overweight is a primary risk factor
- Central adiposity or having fat distributed primarily in the abdomen area
- Physical inactivity
- A family history such as having a parent with diabetes increases the risk of developing the disease
- The risk of diabetes increases as we age especially after the age of 45
- Prediabetes is a condition wherein the blood sugar level is above normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Treatment of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus involves the combination of pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions. Lifestyle interventions include:
- Healthy diet that is high on fruits and vegetables and low on refined carbohydrates and sweets
- Regular physical activity or aerobic exercise
- Regular blood sugar monitoring
Pharmacologic interventions include:
- Metformin
- Sulfonylureas
- Meglitinides
- Thiazolidinediones
- DPP-4 Inhibitors
- GLP 1 receptor agonists
- SGLT2 inhibitors
- Insulin therapy
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, or formerly known as adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is a common metabolic disorder that has the primary characteristic of having an elevated blood glucose level or hyperglycemia.