Health

Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Diet

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how your body uses glucose—the sugar that comes from the carbohydrates you eat. Glucose provides the energy your cells need to function. To use glucose properly, your body also needs insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that helps move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells.

In people with type 2 diabetes (also called diabetes mellitus), the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it effectively. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels and, over time, serious health problems if not managed properly.

More than 29 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, and nearly 8 million don’t know it. Risk factors include family history, age, ethnicity, excess weight, and lack of physical activity.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks and destroys the pancreas cells that make insulin. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults, and lifelong insulin therapy is required.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is far more common. The body either resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough. It typically develops in adults over 45 but can occur at any age. Many people manage it through healthy eating, exercise, and medications.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can’t use insulin properly (insulin resistance) or the pancreas doesn’t make enough. This causes glucose to remain in the bloodstream instead of entering the cells.

Several factors contribute:

  • Genetics: It often runs in families, though having the genes doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop diabetes.
  • Ethnicity: African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American/Pacific Islander populations have higher risks.
  • Lifestyle: Being overweight—especially with excess belly fat—along with inactivity, smoking, heavy drinking, and an unhealthy diet all raise risk.
  • Existing health issues: Conditions like prediabetes, gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or a history of heart disease or stroke increase your chances.

Common Symptoms

Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually, so symptoms may go unnoticed. Warning signs include:

  • Frequent urination (polyuria) – from the kidneys working to remove extra sugar.
  • Excessive thirst (polydipsia) – caused by dehydration from frequent urination.
  • Increased hunger (polyphagia) – as cells can’t get enough glucose for energy.
  • Blurred vision – due to swelling of the eye’s lens from high blood sugar.
  • Unexplained weight loss – the body burns fat and muscle for energy.
  • Fatigue – from the body’s inability to use glucose efficiently.
  • Frequent infections and slow-healing wounds – because sugar-rich blood encourages bacterial growth and slows circulation.
  • Dry, itchy skin – due to dehydration and reduced blood flow.

Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes

Doctors use several blood tests:

  • A1C test: Measures average blood sugar over the past 3 months.
    • Normal: below 5.7%
    • Prediabetes: 5.7–6.4%
    • Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
  • Fasting plasma glucose test: After at least 8 hours of fasting.
    • Normal: <100 mg/dL
    • Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL
    • Diabetes: ≥126 mg/dL
  • Oral glucose tolerance test: After drinking a glucose solution.
    • Normal: ≤139 mg/dL
    • Prediabetes: 140–199 mg/dL
    • Diabetes: ≥200 mg/dL
  • Random glucose test: A reading ≥200 mg/dL suggests diabetes.

Autoantibody tests can help determine whether it’s type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Treatment Options

The main goal of treatment is to control blood sugar and prevent complications. This is done through diet, exercise, and medication.

Common medications include:

  • Metformin: Improves insulin use and reduces glucose production in the liver.
  • Sulfonylureas (e.g., glimepiride, glipizide): Stimulate insulin release.
  • Meglitinides (e.g., repaglinide): Trigger quick insulin bursts before meals.
  • Thiazolidinediones (TZDs): Improve insulin sensitivity.
  • DPP-4 inhibitors (e.g., sitagliptin): Increase insulin levels after meals.
  • SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., Jardiance, Invokana): Help kidneys remove sugar through urine.
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Trulicity, Victoza): Slow digestion and boost insulin action.
  • Insulin therapy: Used when other methods aren’t enough.

In some cases, bariatric surgery can help obese patients achieve better blood sugar control.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?

There’s currently no cure, but it can often be well managed—and some people experience remission when blood sugar returns to normal without medication. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to keeping diabetes under control and preventing complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, or vision loss.

Healthy Eating for Diabetes

A balanced diet can greatly improve blood sugar control. Many experts recommend:

  • A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, and olive oil.
  • The “Create Your Plate” method: fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, one-quarter with lean protein, and one-quarter with whole grains or starchy foods.
  • Learning to count carbohydrates, since carbs affect blood sugar most.

A dietitian or diabetes educator can tailor a plan to your needs.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk:

  • Eat healthy: Focus on whole foods, fruits, and vegetables; avoid sugary drinks and processed foods.
  • Lose weight: Even a 5–7% weight loss can delay or prevent diabetes.
  • Stay active: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, plus strength training.

Famous People with Type 2 Diabetes

Several public figures have shared their experiences with type 2 diabetes, helping raise awareness:

  • Tom Hanks revealed his diagnosis in 2013 after years of elevated blood sugar.
  • Paula Deen went public in 2012 and spoke about lifestyle and genetic risks.
  • Billie Jean King and Randy Jackson both used their diagnoses as motivation to lose weight and live healthier lives.
  • Other notable names include Patti LaBelle, Paul Sorvino, and Dick Clark.

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