Diabetes type 2

Diabetes type 2

In type 2 diabetes, the insulin in the body does not work well enough, and you get elevated blood sugar. The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing. Heredity, obesity and physical inactivity are important causes of the development of type 2 diabetes.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a disease where the body is unable to regulate blood sugar as normal. The main reasons are reduced production of insulin and/or that the insulin does not work well enough. Without enough insulin, or insulin that works too poorly, the body is unable to transport sugar in the blood further into the cells. As a result, the body is unable to use sugar as an energy source, which leads to the characteristic symptoms of diabetes.

Causes of diabetes type 2

Type 2 diabetes is often caused by a combination of different factors. Some people are genetically predisposed to get diabetes, but our lifestyle largely determines whether we get diabetes. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes are:

• Little exercise

• Overweight

• Unhealthy diet with lots of high-calorie and fatty food

• Ethnic background from Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East

• High age

Many people have type 2 diabetes without knowing it

It is believed that approximately half of all people with type 2 diabetes do not even know they have the disease. If you think you are at risk of developing diabetes, you can test your diabetes risk here.

Symptoms of diabetes type 2

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes will often be diffuse and come on gradually. As blood sugar levels rise, typical symptoms of high blood sugar may appear:

Strong thirst and frequent urination

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Nausea

Good advice for type 2 diabetes

• Measure your blood sugar regularly.

• Familiarize yourself with the disease.

• Dietary adjustments are important for all diabetics. Read dietary advice for diabetics.

• Be physically active.

• Do not smoke! Read about quitting smoking here.

• Lose weight if you are overweight.

Late complications in type 2 diabetes

High blood sugar over time damages the body's blood vessels. This increases the risk that other diseases may occur as a result of diabetes. Diabetes type 2 is a contributing factor to the development of a number of diseases and ailments:

• Heart attack

• Kidney disease

• Stroke

• Impaired vision or blindness

• Impotence

• Painful neuropathy (nerve disease)

• Foot complications

Late complications as a result of diabetes can be prevented by ensuring good blood sugar control and regular check-ups with a doctor. In addition, one should avoid or minimize other risk factors for late complications, such as high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and high cholesterol.

Treatment of diabetes type 2

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes should always be included in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and are often considered the most important treatment. Increased physical activity, proper diet and weight reduction can help lower blood sugar. For many, lifestyle changes are enough to keep the disease under control.

Blood sugar lowering tablets

If the disease is not adequately treated with lifestyle changes, it may become necessary to take blood sugar-lowering tablets, also known as antidiabetics. Antidiabetics work by increasing the secretion of insulin, increasing the sensitivity/effect of insulin, reducing the body's own production of sugar, increasing the absorption of sugar into the cells or by reducing the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine.

Insulin

Insulin can also be a form of treatment for type 2 diabetes, if insulin deficiency (and not insulin sensitivity) is the dominant factor. Some diabetics use a combination of insulin and blood sugar-lowering tablets.

You can buy your prescription medicines

When should you contact a doctor for type 2 diabetes?

If you suspect you have diabetes.

For symptoms such as strong thirst, lethargy and frequent urination.

Sources:

Norwegian drug handbook for healthcare personnel, Norwegian Diabetes Association, World Health Organization (WHO), Norwegian electronic medical handbook and the Joint Catalogue.