Type 2 Diabetes
Find Diabetes Clinics »
Type 2 diabetes or NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) as it was previously known is the most common form of diabetes in the world. Out of all diabetics, type 2 diabetes makes up approximately 80-85% of cases and is nowadays easily treated.
Just like type 1 diabetes, type 2 is characterised by a high blood sugar level, that if left untreated can cause problems with your eyes and nerves to name just a few. The condition starts when special receptors on the cells in your body are unable to respond to insulin, which usually tells them to take up sugar. When your blood sugar level rises as a consequence, your body produces lots more insulin, which usually helps to correct the problem. This stage of type 2 diabetes is known as insulin resistance, during this stage you will not usually notice any symptoms, as your body is still working fine.
Over time, your pancreas will have to keep producing increased amount of insulin to compensate for the decreased sensitivity of your insulin receptors. It is likely that when you develop type 2 diabetes, you have a combination of decreased insulin production from the pancreas and decreased insulin receptor sensitivity. Eventually your body will not be able to produce all the insulin that you need and your blood sugar will remain very high, a condition known as hyperglycaemia. It is essential that you try to keep your blood sugar concentration as low as possible, as this will help you to remain fit and healthy.
There are many treatments available nowadays to help treat this condition. The one that is used most commonly and proves to be the best is called lifestyle modification. This is basically increasing the amount of exercise you take, whilst following a sensible diet. This works well because over 55% of people who have type 2 diabetes also have central obesity (high levels of fat around the abdomen), a risk factor for developing the condition.
« Living with Type 1 Diabetes Causes of Type 2 Diabetes »
Further Information about Diabetes
- Types of Insulin
- Injecting Insulin
- Side Effects of Insulin
- Measuring Blood Glucose
- Glycosylated Hemoglobin
- Risk of Type 1 Diabetes
- Effects of Type 1 Diabetes
- Macrovascular Complications
- Treating Macrovascular Complications
- Microvascular Complications
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Treating Diabetic Neuropathy
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Diabetic Foot
- Treating Diabetic Foot
- Problems with Diabetes
- Transplantations for Type 1 Diabetes
- Preventing Type 1 Diabetes
- Living with Type 1 Diabetes
- Living with Type Two Diabetes
- Medication for Type Two Diabetes
- Long Term Effects of Type Two Diabetes
- Diabetes A-Z
- Diabetes FAQ's
DIABETES INORMATION
- DIABETES IN THE UK
- Do you think you have Diabetes?
- Life with Diabetes
- Monitoring Diabetes
- Types of Diabetes
- TYPE 1 DIABETES
- Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
- Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
- Testing for Type 1 Diabetes
- Diet & Type 1 Diabetes
- Exercise for Diabetics
- Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes
- TYPE 2 DIABETES
- Causes of Type Two Diabetes
- Risk of Type Two Diabetes
- Symptoms of Type Two Diabetes
- Complications with Type Two Diabetes
- Testing for Type Two Diabetes
- Treating Type Two Diabetes
- Further Information
UK HEALTH CENTRES
- Acupuncture
- Allergies
- Chiropractors
- Colonic Irrigation
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Cosmetic Treatments
- Dental Treatments
- Diabetes
- Dieting
- Fertility Treatment
- Hair Transplants
- Harley Street
- Hearing Aids
- Incontinence
- Laser Eye Surgery
- Laser Hair Removal
- Medical Centres & GPs
- Menopause
- Opticians
- Osteopathy
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Pregnancy
- Private Blood Tests
- Private Health Insurance
- Sleep Disorders
- Smoking & E-Cigarettes
- Sports Medicine
- STD's & STI's
(Sexually Transmitted Diseases) - Tattoo Removal
- Vasectomy Reversal
- Vasectomy
- Weight Loss Surgery
(Obesity Surgery) - Vaccines
- Abortions
- Glossary A-Z
- Latest UK Health News
SELECT A LOCATION
