Type 2 diabetes is much more common than Type 1 Diabetes. It is relatively well known. Type 2 Diabetes accounts for nearly 90-95% of cases of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). It affects both men and women with slight bias towards elderly males. Criteria for diagnosis includes blood sugar testing and measuring HBA1c levels.
Age of onset :- Type 2 DM is a disease primarily affecting middle aged and elderly people. As per ADA (American Diabetes Association), as much as 27% of elderly individuals (age >65) are affected with Diabetes. But recently a rising trend has been observed in younger population especially among Obese Adolescents.
Risk Factors :- Certain factors are associated with heightened risk of diabetes. Prominent amongst them are
Other minor ones include PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (in elderly women), Gestational diabetes (pregnant women) etc.
Pathogenesis/Mechanism :-
Type II DM develops due to 2 main pathologies (both may co exist) -
Signs and Symptoms
We have discussed signs and symptoms in detail before.They are more or less same as in type 1 diabetes. Increased thirst, hunger, frequency of urination, tingling and numbness of feet, decreased vision, skin rashes etc are the common ones.
Prevention :-
This where a major difference lies between Type I and Type II Diabetes. Thankfully type II Diabetes is much more preventable than is type I. Prevention of emergence of risk factors is the key, it is an example of Primordial Prevention. Those with a family history must take extra care and undergo periodic Blood Sugar, BP and Cholesterol checks after age of 35.
Important preventive measures include -
Small changes at macro level (community/population) can make a substantial difference to the outcome. Ex.-
Treatment :-
Type 1 patients are exclusively dependent on Insulin while this is not the case with type 2 diabetics. Oral hypoglycemic drugs are the ones prescribed to most patients, though later on Insulin may be required to maintain the sugar control. Diabetics are advised to maintain their meal patterns and regular medications to avoid fluctuations in sugar levels. Surgical procedures if required are carried out under Insulin cover and then reverted to routine drugs.
Complete treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
We will discuss about the very important complications of diabetes in the next post. Stay tuned.
Age of onset :- Type 2 DM is a disease primarily affecting middle aged and elderly people. As per ADA (American Diabetes Association), as much as 27% of elderly individuals (age >65) are affected with Diabetes. But recently a rising trend has been observed in younger population especially among Obese Adolescents.
Risk Factors :- Certain factors are associated with heightened risk of diabetes. Prominent amongst them are
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Hyper-Cholesterolemia
- High Blood Pressure
- Family History
- Older Age
- Race/Ethnicity
Other minor ones include PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (in elderly women), Gestational diabetes (pregnant women) etc.
Pathogenesis/Mechanism :-
Type II DM develops due to 2 main pathologies (both may co exist) -
- Beta Cell Destruction - Insulin producing cells get damaged hence insulin secretion is lower than normal and hence sugar levels remain high.
- Insulin Resistance - Insulin levels are Normal or high, but body cannot utilize Insulin due to either defect in Insulin itself or in Cellular Receptors that bind Insulin.
Signs and Symptoms
We have discussed signs and symptoms in detail before.They are more or less same as in type 1 diabetes. Increased thirst, hunger, frequency of urination, tingling and numbness of feet, decreased vision, skin rashes etc are the common ones.
Prevention :-
This where a major difference lies between Type I and Type II Diabetes. Thankfully type II Diabetes is much more preventable than is type I. Prevention of emergence of risk factors is the key, it is an example of Primordial Prevention. Those with a family history must take extra care and undergo periodic Blood Sugar, BP and Cholesterol checks after age of 35.
Important preventive measures include -
- Healthy diet - reduction of fat and addition of fibres
- Regular BP, Blood Glucose and Blood Cholesterol checks.
- Mild to moderate exercise.
- Weight loss
- Periodic relaxation to avoid stress.
Small changes at macro level (community/population) can make a substantial difference to the outcome. Ex.-
- Small modifications in family diet can benefit everyone in the family.
- Developing a habit of regular exercise in school and college students is an excellent strategy to counter its emergence in adolescents.
- Elderly support groups can teach each other the aspects of effective sugar and BP control, likewise women can share their tips to make healthier and tastier food. These small measures can substantially help in reducing the overall disease burden.
Treatment :-
Type 1 patients are exclusively dependent on Insulin while this is not the case with type 2 diabetics. Oral hypoglycemic drugs are the ones prescribed to most patients, though later on Insulin may be required to maintain the sugar control. Diabetics are advised to maintain their meal patterns and regular medications to avoid fluctuations in sugar levels. Surgical procedures if required are carried out under Insulin cover and then reverted to routine drugs.
Complete treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
We will discuss about the very important complications of diabetes in the next post. Stay tuned.
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