Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin and/or manages insulin poorly. Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for moving sugar into your cells so it can be used for fuel or energy. When not treated, type 2 diabetes can cause you to have chronically high blood sugar levels that increase your risk for other problems and complications, including nerve damage, eye diseases, and amputation.
This chronic condition affects more than 37 million people in the United States, or about one in 10 people. Knowing type 2 diabetes symptoms and risk factors can help you determine whether it’s time to see your healthcare provider for an evaluation and treatment.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
Certain lifestyle behaviors can affect the health and functioning of the cells in your pancreas to trigger the onset of type 2 diabetes. For instance, being overweight or obese leads to increased body fat. Having a high amount of body fat causes your pancreas to work harder at producing enough insulin to keep your blood sugar at a normal level. Therefore, losing excess weight and maintaining a healthy weight can usually reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Other potential causes and risk factors of diabetes include:
- Lack of exercise (exercise naturally helps regulate your hormones—including insulin—and can help your body use sugar (glucose) as energy, and it can also help you maintain a healthy weight; being physically inactive puts you at higher risk for type 2 diabetes)
- Fat distribution (having a high amount of abdominal fat increases your risk)
- High triglycerides
- Low HDL “good” cholesterol
- Diet (eating lots of foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes, as can a diet high in processed foods)
- Family history ( you may be at higher risk if this chronic condition runs in your family)
- Race and ethnicity (the risk for type 2 diabetes is higher among Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders than among other races)
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes develops slowly over time. Symptoms may not be noticeable early on but will gradually progress as the condition becomes more severe.
Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- Slow-healing wounds
- Increased hunger
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Frequent illnesses and infections
- Blurred vision
- Pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands or feet (a sign of nerve damage)
- Darkened skin in the armpits and neck (a sign of insulin resistance)
Make an appointment with your doctor right away if you are experiencing symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Early intervention and treatment are key to normalizing your blood sugar and reducing your risk for diabetes-related complications.
Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes
A blood test can reveal whether or not you have type 2 diabetes. The hemoglobin A1C test is the most common test used to diagnose type 2 diabetes. This test can show what your average blood sugar level has been for the previous two to three months. An A1C level of 6.5% or higher indicates that you have type 2 diabetes.
Other tests your doctor may perform are a fasting plasma glucose test and an oral glucose tolerance test. The fasting test measures the amount of glucose in your plasma and requires you to fast for at least eight hours beforehand. The oral test shows how well your body manages glucose before and after drinking a dose of glucose. Your provider can review the results of these tests to determine whether you have type 2 diabetes.
Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is typically treated using a combination of healthy lifestyle practices and medications that help control your blood sugar level.
Certain behaviors can help your body produce insulin and manage glucose more efficiently. Many times, changing your lifestyle can eliminate the need for diabetes medications.
Lifestyle changes your doctor may recommend to treat type 2 diabetes include:
- Exercising regularly
- Modifying your diet (berries, seeds, and cruciferous vegetables are some of the many foods that can help control your blood sugar level)
- Eating smaller portion sizes or not eating after you feel full
- Losing excess weight
- Monitoring your blood sugar regularly
Medications for type 2 diabetes can help lower your blood sugar level, improve the way your body responds to insulin, and/or slow your digestion. Your doctor may recommend taking medications if your symptoms do not improve after making healthy lifestyle changes.
Metformin, sulfonylureas, and meglitinides are some of the many types of medications approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Your doctor can talk to you in greater detail about how each of these medications works and about the risks and side effects associated with long-term use.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
Knowing the causes and risk factors of type 2 diabetes can help you understand what you can do to reduce your risk. For instance, you may be able to avoid this condition by losing excess weight.
Other effective ways to prevent type 2 diabetes include:
- Avoiding unhealthy and processed foods and eating a higher amount of healthy whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, meats, poultry, and whole grains
- Doing moderate-intensity exercises for at least 150 minutes a week
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Drinking more water and avoiding sugary beverages like sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices
- Reducing your alcohol intake
Consult with your healthcare provider if you think you may have type 2 diabetes or need help managing your condition.