Call Us 855-5-SECOND | 855-573-2663
Second Opinion Services
Medical Consultation leader providing
online consultation service in all areas of medicine.
Please select specialty or speak/type your second opinion inquiry

Diabetes - Type 2 & Pre-Diabetes

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Y Z
Search By Title
  Search By Speciality

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.  Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, a sugar that is a source of fuel.  Normally, the hormone insulin helps glucose get into the body’s cells where it is used for energy.  People with Type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but they either do not produce enough or the cells of the body are resistant to the absorption of insulin, and glucose remains in the bloodstream. Unlike type 1 diabetics, type 2 diabetics may not have to rely entirely on insulin to control their symptoms, though many diabetics do eventually end up taking insulin injections.  Too much sugar in the blood can cause a variety of different medical complications and make diabetics very ill. 

While many cases of type 2 diabetes may be controlled, it is the leading cause of diabetes-related complications such as blindness, lower leg amputations, and chronic kidney failure.  There is no cure for diabetes.  People with diabetes should diligently manage their disease to stay as healthy as possible and reduce the risk of medical complications.

Anatomy

Your body is composed of millions of cells.  The cells need energy to function.  One way the cells receive energy is from the food that you eat.  Whenever you eat or drink, some of the food is broken down into glucose.  Glucose is a sugar released into your blood.  It is a major source of energy for your body cells.  Glucose is transported from your bloodstream and into your cells with the help of insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the beta cells of your pancreas.  Your pancreas is a gland located near your stomach that produces chemicals for food digestion.  Insulin regulates the amount of glucose in your blood continually.  When you eat, the amount of glucose in your bloodstream rises.  In response to the elevated blood glucose level, your beta cells produce insulin.  The insulin moves the glucose out of the bloodstream and into your cells.  In turn, a lower level of glucose is left in the blood stream.  To prevent your blood glucose level from getting too low, your body signals you to eat.  This starts the process again so that your body cells receive the exact energy that they need.

Causes

Type 2 diabetes occurs because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body's cells are not allowing the insulin to be absorbed.  This is known as insulin resistance.  Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body does not recognize or respond to the insulin that is produced.  This results in elevated blood glucose levels because the glucose cannot get into the body cells for energy and remains in the bloodstream.

Type 2 diabetes most frequently develops in people who are over 40 years old and overweight but it can occur in people who are not overweight.  Overweight children can also develop type 2 diabetes and these rates are continuing to climb thanks to rising childhood obesity rates.   People with type 2 diabetes must manage their condition with weight control, diet, exercise, and medication. They may use insulin or an oral medication that helps their body make the most of their own insulin.

Before most people develop type 2 diabetes, they will experience “pre-diabetes.”  Pre-diabetes, also known as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, is a condition in which blood glucose levels are elevated, but are not high enough to meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes.  A diagnosis of pre-diabetes means that you are likely to develop diabetes and may already experience adverse health effects.  Research shows that long-term damage to the heart and circulatory system may begin to occur during pre-diabetes.  People with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes if blood glucose levels are managed with nutrition and exercise during pre-diabetes and should use this time to take control of their health and lose weight. 

Some research has shown that type 2 diabetes is most likely to occur when poor health habits (lack of exercise, high calorie diets, and obesity) combine with an underlying genetic risk for the disease.

Major risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

  • Age greater than 45 years (but remember it is happening more in children)
  • Weight greater than 120% of desirable body weight
  • Family history of type 2 diabetes in a first-degree relative
  •  Hispanic, Native American, African American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent
  • History of a previous abnormal glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose test
  • High blood pressure (>140/90 mm Hg) or high cholesterol (HDL cholesterol level < 40 mg/dL or triglyceride level >150 mg/dL)
  • History of gestational diabetes or delivering a baby with a birth weight of over 9 pounds
  •  Polycystic ovarian syndrome (which results in insulin resistance)

Symptoms

Most people with pre-diabetes do not have any symptoms.  Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, or extreme tiredness.  Type 2 diabetes may or may not produce symptoms.  Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know that they have it.  In most cases, the symptoms develop gradually when blood sugar levels become high.  Symptoms and complications of type 2 diabetes are nearly identical to those of type 1 diabetes and they are:

Support
CALL US
855-573-2663
855-5-SECOND
Subscribe to our
FREE Newsletter

    Images interpreted by USARAD.COM
    Accredited by the Joint Commission

    USARAD Holdings, Inc., a Nanox company
    Your privacy and medical information are protected using an encrypted connection.
    cc logos
    This service should be used for second opinions, additional medical reviews and consultations; not for primary diagnosis or treatment. Please always consult your primary doctor for final diagnosis and treatment.