The Canadian Diabetes Association underlines that type 2, or adult onset diabetes, is a chronic and potentially lifelong condition that can affect every system of the body. Type 2 diabetes causes fluctuations in blood glucose levels due to physiological abnormalities or malfunctions in the body. Early diagnosis is important to prevent diabetes-related damage to the body.
Definition
The body uses glucose from the breakdown of food to produce energy for every body function. In order for the glucose to be converted into energy, it must first be transported into the cells of the body by the hormone insulin. Excess glucose is stored in the liver for use between meals or when energy is needed. In type 2 diabetes the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body become desensitized to insulin and cannot use it correctly. This causes excess glucose to build up in the bloodstream, causing hyperglycemia, instead of the glucose being carried into the cells of the body where it can be converted or to energy or stored.
Causes
Type 2 diabetes is commonly linked to resistance to the hormone insulin, which means the cells of the body do not respond normally to insulin and allow glucose to be transported into the cells. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that type 2 diabetes usually occurs gradually and can be worsened with obesity or excess weight.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include low physical activity, poor diet, family history, excess body weight--particularly around the waist--high cholesterol, high blood pressure, age over 45 years and a history of gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy. Certain ethnicities such as African Americans, South East Asians, Hispanics and Native Americans are also at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms
The Canadian Diabetes Association says that though many people with diabetes may show no symptoms at all, signs of the disease can be important factors in recognizing and diagnosing type 2 diabetes. Signs and symptoms include unusual thirst, blurred vision, frequent urination, weight gain or loss, severe fatigue and low energy, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, frequent infections, slow-healing cuts and bruises, low libido or impotence.
Diagnosis
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) advises that testing for diabetes and pre-diabetes is used to diagnose type 2 diabetes. Individuals with pre-diabetes have fasting glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet in the diabetic range. Pre-diabetes is a good indicator that the patient may develop diabetes. The UMMC recommends using the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) as well as the oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT) to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. The FPG test is the most common test for diabetes and simply measures blood glucose levels after eight hours of fasting.
Normal fasting levels of blood glucose are 100 mg/dL or 5.5mmol/L or below. Diabetic FPG levels fall at 126 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol/L or higher. The FPG test alone is not always accurate to diagnose diabetes; therefore the OGGT or other test will be given in conjunction with it.
Another test called the glycosylated hemoglobin test (GHT) analyzes the levels of glucose attached to the hemoglobin in red blood cells, which are not affected by recent food intake, making it a convenient test at any time.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Type II Diabetes Overview
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Diagnostic Tests for Type 2 Diabetes
- Canadian Diabetes Association: Type 2 Diabetes, the Basics
- Cleveland Clinic: Long Term Problems for People with Diabetes
- Canadian Diabetes Association: The Facts on Diabetes
