Type 2 diabetes

This is Molly. She’s 50 years old. She hasn’t been feeling very well recently. She is constantly tired and sleeps more than usual. She feels very thirsty and urinates a lot.

Sometimes her vision is blurry, and she feels numbness and tingling in her hands and feet. Molly decides to go to the doctor’s. The doctor asks her some questions about her lifestyle. Molly explains she has an office job, and spends most of her days sitting at her desk. She admits that she has never been keen on sport, and in the past few years she’s given up on exercise almost entirely.

She has gained quite a bit of weight too. The doctor orders some tests. They show that the level of glucose in Molly’s blood is much higher than it should be. The doctor concludes that Molly has type 2 diabetes. When someone has diabetes, the cells in their body cannot take up glucose from the bloodstream properly.

This has to do with the hormone insulin. Insulin acts as a key that opens cells so that glucose can enter. But when a person has diabetes, this process doesn’t work as it should. There are different types of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common.

It usually develops slowly over time, so it often occurs in adults and seniors, although more and more children and teenagers are developing it too. It isn’t entirely clear what causes type 2 diabetes. But most doctors and scientists agree that people who have an inactive lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, and are overweight are at higher risk. Having certain other conditions, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes can also play a role. When a person develops type 2 diabetes, their body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the cells in their body become resistant to it.

Because of this, the cells can’t take up all the glucose from the blood and use it to produce energy for the body. Instead, the glucose builds up in the bloodstream. It causes the body’s blood sugar levels to rise. High blood sugar is known as hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia often causes symptoms like the ones Molly has.

But not everyone who has type 2 diabetes experiences these symptoms. Even if they do, they might not get diagnosed right away. Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to health complications, including: slow healing of wounds, an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, damage to the nerves, chronic kidney disease, and blindness. There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, but there are treatments that might help prevent it or slow its development. These involve ensuring that blood sugar levels stay within normal range.

For some people, it’s enough to change their lifestyle. Regular, well-balanced meals, low in carbohydrates, along with regular exercise, can help control blood sugar levels. Losing weight can also help. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, a doctor might prescribe insulin injections or medication that improves cells’ response to insulin. For now, Molly’s doctor prescribes a medication that will bring down her blood sugar levels quickly.

She refers Molly to a dietician who can help her improve her diet and eating habits. Molly will start a regular exercise routine too. She will have to monitor her blood sugar levels on a regular basis, to see if they stay within the normal range. And she will need to visit her doctor regularly, to track how well treatment is working. If the lifestyle changes work, she might be able to come off her medication soon!