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Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and occurs when the body cannot properly use insulin, resulting in high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is largely influenced by lifestyle factors, though genetics also play a role.
Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider—typically every 3 months—are important for monitoring and preventing complications. During these visits, your provider will:
- Check blood pressure
- Examine the feet for skin, bone, or circulation problems
- Screen for numbness or nerve damage
- Examine the eyes for changes using a special instrument (ophthalmoscope)
Symptoms
Many people have no symptoms in the early stages, sometimes for years. When symptoms occur, they may include:
- Frequent infections (bladder, kidney, skin) that heal slowly
- Fatigue
- Increased Hunger And Thrist
- Increased urination
- Blurred vision
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet
- Erectile dysfunction in men
Causes
Type 2 diabetes develops when cells in the muscles, fat, and liver become insulin resistant, meaning they don’t respond properly to insulin. This prevents glucose from entering cells, causing it to build up in the blood (hyperglycemia).
- Most people are overweight at diagnosis, but it can also occur in thin individuals, especially older adults and children with genetic risk factors.
- Risk factors include low physical activity, poor diet, excess abdominal fat, family history, and certain health conditions.
Diagnosis
Your provider may order one or more tests to confirm diabetes:
- Fasting blood glucose: ≥ 126 mg/dL on more than one occasion
- Oral glucose tolerance test: ≥ 200 mg/dL after 2 hours
- Hemoglobin A1c:
- Normal: < 5.7%
- Pre-diabetes: 5.7%–6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
Diagnosis
Your provider may order one or more tests to confirm diabetes:
- Fasting blood glucose: ≥ 126 mg/dL on more than one occasion
- Oral glucose tolerance test: ≥ 200 mg/dL after 2 hours
- Hemoglobin A1c:
- Normal: < 5.7%
- Pre-diabetes: 5.7%–6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
Possible Complications
If left untreated or poorly controlled, Type 2 diabetes can lead to:
- Eye damage – vision loss, light sensitivity, or blindness
- Foot and skin problems – slow-healing wounds, infections, or amputations
- Heart and blood vessel disease – heart attack, stroke, poor circulation
- Nerve damage (neuropathy) – digestive issues, weakness, bladder problems, erectile dysfunction
- Kidney damage (nephropathy) – reduced kidney function or kidney failure
- Frequent infections – skin, urinary tract, and genital infections
Treatment Goals
- Short-term: Lower high blood sugar levels
- Long-term: Prevent or delay complications
The mainstays of treatment are:
- Healthy eating
- Regular exercise
- Weight management
- Sometimes medication or insulin
Wellness Recommendations
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular activity
- Limit high-glycemic carbohydrates (white bread, potatoes, sugary cereals, white rice)
- Choose high-fiber, whole foods – vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds
- Avoid processed and junk foods
- Exercise regularly – improves insulin sensitivity and supports weight loss
- Consider dietary fiber supplements (such as psyllium) to improve glucose tolerance
- Limit alcohol to 1 serving per day
- Use natural sweeteners like stevia instead of sugar
If you have Type 2 diabetes, contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- New numbness, tingling, or pain in your feet or legs
- Vision changes
- Wounds or sores that aren’t healing
- Symptoms of high blood sugar: excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, dry skin
- Symptoms of low blood sugar: shaking, sweating, irritability, confusion, rapid heartbeat, blurry vision
