Type 2 Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus Type 2)
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, also known as type 2 diabetes, is a globally common metabolic disorder affecting over two million people in the UK alone. Once called adult-onset diabetes (and also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus – NIDDM), type 2 is now also found in young adults and children.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to meet the body's needs or the insulin is not metabolised effectively. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterised by insulin deficiency, a measure of insulin resistance, and hyperglycaemia.
Type 2 diabetes varies in severity. Following pre-diabetes or metabolic disorder diagnosis, type 2 can develop at an early stage. Type 2 at this level is usually treated through diet and exercise, but if it becomes more serious and resistance to insulin increases, some type 2 diabetics also have to take oral medication or use insulin to keep their blood sugar levels stable.
Treatment typically includes diet modification and control, regular and appropriate exercise, home blood glucose testing, and in some cases, oral medication and/or insulin. Experts indicate that approximately 40% of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections.
Type 2 diabetes used to primarily be seen in middle-aged adults, and be in contrast to type 1 diabetes which is usually diagnosed at a much earlier stage. However, in recent years much younger people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and the disease is becoming more common amongst adolescents and children. This increase has been connected to climbing levels of obesity.
Like type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes carries the risk of diabetes complications over a long period of time. Ketoacidosis is much rarer amongst type 2 diabetics, but non-ketonic hyperglycaemia is one threat type 2 diabetics need to be aware of. Despite the similarity in complications, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes have quite different origins and treatment regimens.
Like many chronic diseases, the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at an early stage is beneficial to treatment. Before type 2 diabetes develops, most patients exhibit pre-diabetic symptoms, and if treatment commences at this stage, diabetes of this type is preventable.
Other types of diabetes
Recommended type 2 diabetes reading
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