Type 2 Diabetes Causes and Symptoms

Type 2 Diabetes Causes and Symptoms

Type 2 Diabetes Causes and Symptoms

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes (90% of cases). It usually occurs in adulthood in individuals 40 years of age and older. Unfortunately, we have seen in recent years that it appears in younger people. In populations at risk, it can even appear from childhood.

In some people with type 2 diabetes, the production of insulin by pancreatic cells is insufficient. In others, the insulin produced does not perform well, we are talking about insulin resistance. In both cases, the result is an increase in blood sugar (glucose), because the body uses glucose (sugar) poorly as a source of energy.

Causes of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or because the body does not use it properly, or both. The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is still poorly understood, but it has been established that it is more likely to occur in the following circumstances:

• giving birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kg (9 lbs);
• an age greater than 40 years;
• ancestry of aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian or South African descent.
• a family history of diabetes;
• high blood pressure
• overweight;
• the occurrence of diabetes mellitus during pregnancy;
• high cholesterol
• impaired glucose tolerance or moderate fasting hyperglycemia.

Risk factor

• High blood pressure
• A sedentary lifestyle, absence or insufficiency of physical activity
• Increased cholesterol
• History of cardiovascular disease: angina pectoris, infarction, arteritis of the lower limbs
• Smoking: Tobacco use appears to affect the pancreas by increasing insulin resistance. 44% of smokers are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA, in December 2007. This risk is higher if consumption is high and exceeds about one pack per day.
• Alcoholism
• Diabetes during pregnancy or birth of a child whose birth weight was greater than 4 kg
• Wounds difficult to heal
• Repeated infections: cystitis, urinary tract infection, mycosis, abscess, boils.
• Age of more than 45 years;
• Overweight ;
• High BMI;
• Waist circumference: The measurement of the waist circumference is an indication of the existence of a risk factor: Waist circumference of more than 100 cm approximately in the man, waist measurement of more than 88 cm approximately in the woman (outside of pregnancy).

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes

From a general point of view the symptoms are the same as for type 1 diabetes, however, they are often less pronounced. We observe :

• Intense thirst
•  Abundant urine 
• Rapid weight loss despite increased hunger 
• An important general tiredness 
• Blurred vision 
• More common urinary and genital infections 
•  Decreased sensitivity or numbness in the extremities
• A slowing down of the healing process

 If the presence of these symptoms is felt, it is necessary to consult a health professional who will perform tests to confirm or not the presence of diabetes. The test is done after taking a blood sample. If fasting blood glucose is equal to or greater than 1.26 g / l twice, diabetes is confirmed.