Type 2 diabetes (type 2 diabetes mellitus) is the most common form of diabetes. It is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar from the body's resistance to insulin or inability to produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that moves sugar to the body's cells. Type 2 diabetes affects major bodily organs, so controlling blood sugar is important in helping to prevent medical complications.
Eye Problems
Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing eye problems, including blindness. A pressure of internal eye fluid from glaucoma may damage the nerves and blood vessels of the eye, which causes vision changes. Cataracts, or a clouding of vision, may develop. Blindness may result from injury to the blood vessels of the retina.
Foot Problems
Type 2 diabetes often decreases blood flow to the feet and causes nerve damage in the feet. Blisters and cuts can cause serious foot infections if they are not appropriately treated. Severe foot complications sometime require foot, toe or leg amputations.
Hearing Difficulties
People with type 2 diabetes often have hearing difficulties. Diabetes may cause hearing impairments by affecting the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear.
Heart Disease
Individuals with type 2 diabetes have increased risk of developing heart diseases, such as angina (chest pain), heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke. Heart disease is the most common cause of death of those with type 2 diabetes with at least 65 percent of people with diabetes dying of heart disease or stroke, according to the American Heart Association. In addition, a study by Dr. Thomas Jeerakathil in the June 2007 issue of "Stroke" found that the risk for stroke doubles within the first few years of being diagnosed and treated for type 2 diabetes.
Kidney Damage
Type 2 diabetes may damage the kidneys. Damaged kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste from the blood. As a result, the waste builds up. If the levels of waste reach poisonous levels, a person can become confused or enter into a coma. Severe damage can cause kidney failure, which may require kidney dialysis or a transplant.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage is common among those with type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels that supply blood to nerves. Symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, tingling, or pain that spreads upward from the fingers or toes. Erectile dysfunction may occur in men with type 2 diabetes. Nerve damage in the gastrointestinal tract may cause diarrhea, constipation, nausea or vomiting.
Skin Problems
Skin problems are common among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Bacterial and fungal infections may develop because diabetes reduces the body's ability to fight infection. The skin may become thick on the back of the neck and upper back. Areas of darkened skin may develop on the neck, face, chest and abdomen. Darkened skin may also thicken in areas, especially skin folds.
References
- "Diabetes Mellitus Statistics"; American Heart Association; 2010.
- "Stroke"; Short-Term Risk for Stroke is Doubled in Persons with Newly Treated Type 2 Diabetes; Thomas Jeerakathil, Jeffrey A. Johnson, Scot H. Simpson and Sumit R. Majumdar; June 2007.
