Type 2 Diabetes

What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you:

• are overweight or obese
• live an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle – poor diet, lack of exercise, etc
• have a close relative (parent or sibling) with type 2 diabetes
• have high blood pressure (hypertension) and/or high cholesterol

Is age a risk factor?

Unfortunately, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes becomes greater with age. This association is largely due to the fact that insulin production by the pancreas becomes less effective as we get older, while the body also becomes more resistant to insulin.

In recent years, however, cases of type 2 diabetes have become more common amongst teenagers and children, as opposed to middle-aged adults.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes

Warning signs of type 2 diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Daytime fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Increased thirst
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing of cuts or wounds
• Sudden unexplained weight loss
• Regular yeast infections (thrush)
• Genital itching

Some of these symptoms can also be signs of the less common type 1 diabetes, particularly in children and younger adults that are not obese.

Being aware of the signs of type 2 diabetes is vital to catching and treating the disease at an early stage which, in turn, can limit any damage caused and prevent complications from developing.

• See our guide on type 2 diabetes symptoms for more information.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes

Treating type 2 diabetes is based on reducing and maintaining control of blood glucose levels.

For most people, achieving this involves a combination of lifestyle interventions (diet modification, regular exercise, reducing alcohol intake, etc), self-monitoring of blood glucose and oral medication. In some cases, daily injections of insulin are needed.

For people who are overweight or obese, weight loss is a vital part of diabetes management.

Complications of type 2 diabetes

Keeping blood glucose levels under control is essential for preventing the development of other diabetes-related medical conditions, or complications.

Over time, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to a number of diabetic complications including:

• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney disease (nephropathy)
• Eye disease (retinopathy)
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Foot infections

In addition to good blood sugar control, attending all diabetes health checks/screening appointments is also vital for reducing the risk of diabetic complications.