Patient Information > Diabetes

Diabetes

What is type 2 diabetes?
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Causes
Long-term effects and complications
Treatment

What is type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition whereby there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Normally we produce a hormone called insulin (produced by cells in the pancreas gland) which allows the glucose which we take in our food to be used by the body for energy. In diabetes, there is either a lack of insulin or the insulin that is present does not work properly. Too much glucose then stays in the bloodstream and cannot be used by the body for energy. This is why many people with diabetes are diagnosed after visiting the doctor complaining of feeling tired or ill.

Type 2 diabetes tends to occur in people over the age of 40 although in certain cases and populations it can occur at a younger age. The pancreas still produces insulin but not enough to meet all of the body’s requirements, or the insulin it does produce does nor work properly. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 85% of all cases of diabetes.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

The signs and symptoms of diabetes can vary from surprisingly few symptoms to quite a number for other people. Diabetes is a complex disease and it can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Symptoms for type 2 diabetes are often mild.

The classic signs are:

• increased thirst;
• passing more urine (going to the toilet more often);
• passing urine throughout the night;
• blurred vision; and
• a lack of energy or tiredness.

Other signs include repeated bacterial infections such as urinary infections and/or repeated fungal infections such as genital candidiasis (thrush). Deteriorating vision is often associated with diabetes and foot ulcers are another common sign. Men may also experience impotence associated with diabetes.

Causes

The actual cause of diabetes is unknown. It appears that the disease often arises as a result of a combination of social and behavioural factors such as lack of physical activity, ethnic background and overeating. You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you:

• are overweight;
• are over 40;
• take little exercise;
• experienced gestational diabetes (during pregnancy); or
• have a family history of the disease.

Long-term effects and complications

Although you may feel fine, having untreated or poorly controlled diabetes for a long time can cause damage to many parts of the body including the blood vessels, feet, kidneys and retinas in your eyes. Diabetes can also increase your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. It’s important that once you are diagnosed with diabetes you take care that your blood sugar is controlled.

Treatment

Diabetes cannot be cured at present, but it can be treated and controlled.

Diet is the starting point of treating diabetes. The types of food recommended for people with diabetes are based on the rules of healthy eating and can be enjoyed by anyone. You should eat regular meals and more high-fibre meals. You should reduce the amount of sugar, fried and fatty foods you eat.

Most patients will eventually need to take tablets to control their blood sugar. There are several different types of treatments for diabetes. Metformin is often given as the first treatment option, particularly when people are overweight. It can help to control your blood sugar. Metformin acts mainly by helping the insulin available to work more effectively.

Sulphonylureas are another type of tablet which you can swallow. They are usually given when diet has failed to control the blood-sugar level. They help your pancreas to make more insulin and may also help the insulin available work more efficiently.

Glitazones are not as widely used. They also act by making the insulin available work more efficiently.

If your diabetes progresses (this may happen as people get older), you may need to take insulin. Insulin is injected and may be used once or several times a day. The needles used are specially developed to reduce the discomfort and inconvenience of injecting insulin.