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What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

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Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition whereby the body becomes resistant to insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) and gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin causing the blood glucose (sugar) level in the blood to rise. (Diabetes Australia, 14 November 2023).

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What Are Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors?

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Health risk factors are attributes, characteristics or exposures that increase the likelihood of a person developing a disease or health disorder.  (Australian Institute Of Health & Welfare, 2022)

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Furthermore, risk factors can be classified as modifiable (able to be reduced by changing behaviour) and/or metabolic (a physical change).  (World Health Organization, 13 April 2021)

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Physical risk factors are often the result of unhealthy lifestyle and behaviours. 

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Reference:  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

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What Puts You 'At Risk' Of Developing Type 2 Diabetes?

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The non-modifiable risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes are:

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  • Age >40 years (the risk increases with age);

  • Family history of type 2 diabetes;

  • Ethnicity & Cultural Background (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent, Chinese);

  • History of gestational diabetes or birth of a baby > 9 pounds/4.08kg;

  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

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The modifiable risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes are:

  • overweight/obesity and excessive fat around the waistline/middle;

  • being physically inactive / sedentary lifestyle;

  • unhealthy eating habits;

  • smoking;

  • high blood pressure;

  • high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood.

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Knowing your risk puts you in prime position to be able to take some positive steps towards preventing a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

 

What Are The Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes?

 

Many people have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and don't even know.  This is because the symptoms caused by high blood glucose levels only occur when it is significantly high. 

 

If left untreated, very high blood glucose levels can cause two serious complications that require emergency medical treatment.  Once is called diabetic ketoacidosis and the other is called hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state. 

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Once high enough, glucose accumulating in the blood will cause the following initial symptoms:

  • Increased thirst;

  • Frequent urination;

  • Fatigue;

  • Weight loss;

  • Blurred vision;

  • Infections.

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And then later symptoms that will develop include:

  • Fruity-smelling breath;

  • Nausea & vomiting;

  • Abdominal pain;

  • Shortness of breath;

  • Dry mouth;

  • Weakness;

  • Confusion

 

Reference:  www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

 

What Are The Long Term Complications Of Type 2 Diabetes?

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​​Complications arise from persistent uncontrolled blood glucose elevations and include:

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  • Nerve damage;

  • Kidney disease;

  • Heart disease & stroke;

  • Decreased blood circulation to hands and feet;

  • Eye blood vessel damage causing blindness;

  • Sexual dysfunction.

 

Reference:  www.aihw.gov.au

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How Can I Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

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It is possible for some people to prevent type 2 diabetes even in the presence of non-modifiable risk factors.  This is by being aware of your risk and by reducing/controlling and/or eliminating any modifiable risk factors you may have.

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How Can I More Effectively Manage A Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis?

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Once you have been formally diagnosed with type 2 diabetes by a qualified medical practitioner, learning how to self-manage your condition can improve your health, assist your productivity, reduce your physical and financial burden and enhance your quality of life. 

 

This means you will need to:

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1.  understand your diagnosis and what it means;

2.  learn more about how type 2 diabetes affects your body (now and in the future); 

3.  attend medical appointments, tests and take any medications you have been prescribed;

4.  test, monitor and manage your blood glucose levels appropriately;  

5.  complete your diabetes annual cycle of care every year to screen for complications; and

6.  engage in healthy lifestyle behaviours to limit disease progression and prevent complications;

7.  seek professional help from allied healthcare professionals (dietitian, exercise physiologist, podiatrist), a diabetes educator and/or a

     qualified health and wellness coach.

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