WEBVTT

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Type 2 diabetes,
together with type 1 diabetes,

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gestational diabetes and a few
less well known types of diabetes,

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belongs to a group of metabolic disorders

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known as diabetes mellitus.

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Type 2 diabetes develops slowly

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and can be asymptomatic for years.

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When symptoms finally occur, however,

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they are the same as with type 1 diabetes:

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• severe thirst

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• frequent urination

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• fatigue and listlessness

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• nausea

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• and dizziness.

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Like type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes
also affects the metabolism:

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The body’s cells get most of their energy
from sugar, or more precisely glucose,

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which they absorb from the blood.

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To keep the supply going between meals

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the body also has reserves of glucose

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that gradually release sugar into the blood

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when glucose levels are low.

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This normally keeps blood glucose levels
within a certain range,

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not rising too high for long periods
or falling too low.

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Insulin is central to this process.

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This is a hormone or chemical messenger

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that is released into the blood
from the pancreas.

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Insulin prompts the cells in the body

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to absorb more sugar
and top up glucose reserves

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and also regulates
other metabolic processes.

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In type 2 diabetes the body’s cells
gradually lose their ability

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to respond to insulin.

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This is known as insulin resistance.

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So they stop being able to absorb
enough glucose from the blood.

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The body tries to compensate

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by releasing more and more insulin.

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Over time, however,
even this is not enough.

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In extreme cases the pancreas works so hard
that it wears out

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and produces increasingly smaller amounts
of insulin.

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This may ultimately cause
genuine insulin deficiency.

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As it is harder for cells
to absorb glucose from the blood,

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blood sugar levels are too high
for long periods after meals.

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Over prolonged periods,
hyperglycemia is harmful for blood vessels,

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causing damage to many organs and nerves.

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Since the condition goes unnoticed
for long periods

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during which it can still inflict damage,

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there are frequent complications such as:

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• circulatory disorders
such as diabetic foot

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• nerve damage
such as diabetic (poly)neuropathy

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• damage to the retina
known as diabetic retinopathy

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The risk of type 2 diabetes increases

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with excess weight
and lack of physical exercise.

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Since type 2 diabetes
becomes more likely with age

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it is commonly referred to as
old age diabetes.

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Genetic factors may also be at play.

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People with type 2 diabetes can try

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• changes in diet

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• more exercise

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to improve the situation,
often successfully.

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If this does not work
there is the option of taking medication

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to reduce blood sugar levels.

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In more severe cases

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injections of insulin may also be needed.

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In short:

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In type 2 diabetes the body’s cells
are very slow to respond to insulin;

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they become resistant to insulin.

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It becomes harder for them

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to absorb and store glucose from the blood.

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This means that blood sugar levels
can be too high for prolonged periods,

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causing vascular, organ and neural damage.

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The most important therapeutic measure
for type 2 diabetes

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is to maintain a healthy balance

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between food intake and exercise.