Diabetes is diagnosed when a person has too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is a life-long variation of the disease often associated with being overweight, and is the result of the body not producing enough insulin and/or being unable to respond to insulin. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes develop gradually. The condition can cause serious health complications over time but can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
Diabetes mellitus (commonly known as diabetes) is a group of diseases characterised by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time. This page deals with type 2 diabetes. Other variations of diabetes include:
Almost 7% of adult New Zealanders, or approximately 200,000 people, have type 2 diabetes. The condition is more common among Māori, Pacifica, and Asian people than in European New Zealanders.
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes and most often occurs in adulthood. It is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents, which may be related to an increasing prevalence of obesity.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin and/or when the pancreas gland stops producing enough insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that promotes the uptake of glucose from the blood into cells so that it can be metabolised (broken down) and used by the body as an energy source.
The direct effect of insulin is to lower blood glucose levels. However, when there is insufficient insulin or the body’s cells no longer respond to the effects of insulin, glucose accumulates in the blood, leading to high blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels over a prolonged period of time are associated with serious health complications.
It is not understood why some people develop type 2 diabetes and others do not but certain factors can increase a person’s risk of the developing the condition. These risk factors include:
Classic symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
Other symptoms include: blurred vison, tingling, numbness, or a ‘pins and needles’ feeling in the lower limbs, and yeast infections.
The signs and symptoms develop gradually. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not have symptoms and so their condition remains undiagnosed, in some cases for many years.
Early diagnosis and treatment is important to help to prevent diabetes-related complications. Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is primarily based on blood tests, which include:
If diabetes is suspected a doctor may also check a person’s eyes, kidneys, and heart to make sure there has been no damage due to diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can be easy to ignore in its earlier stages but over time high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels in the body leading to serious health complications including:
Controlling blood glucose levels so that they stay in their normal healthy range can help to prevent these complications from developing.
It may be possible to manage the condition by eating healthy foods, exercising, and maintaining a healthy bodyweight. If these lifestyle changes are not enough to help the body to control its blood glucose level, diabetes medications or insulin therapy may also be needed.
The aim of treatment is to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, (ie: 4.0–8.0 mmol/L) and to prevent diabetes-related complications.
A high-fibre low-fat diet based on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is recommended. Foods and beverages containing refined sugars should be avoided. Alcohol contains a lot of sugar so intake should be reduced.
Exercise helps to lower blood glucose levels. Regular exercise also helps to maintain a healthy body weight and control high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels. This in turn helps to reduce the risk of related health conditions such heart attack and stroke.
Although some people can achieve and maintain a normal blood glucose level with diet and exercise alone, others need diabetes medications or insulin therapy as well. Examples of diabetes medications include:
People with type 2 diabetes and who are overweight (body mass index [BMI] greater than 35) may be eligible for weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery).
Depending on a person’s treatment plan, their blood glucose levels may need to be checked and recorded periodically or, if being treated with insulin, multiple times a day. Many factors can affect blood glucose levels so careful monitoring is the only way to ensure that blood sugar levels remain within their normal range. Two blood glucose level problems requiring immediate attention are:
For further information and support contact your doctor, practice nurse, or any of the following organizations.
Diabetes New Zealand
Postal address: PO Box 12441, Thorndon, Wellington
Freephone: 0800 DIABETES (0800 342 238)
Diabetes Youth New Zealand
Postal address: P.O. Box 56172, Dominion, Road Auckland
Khardori R. (2016). Medscape drugs and diseases: Type 2 diabetes mellitus. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/117853-overview [Accessed: 19/10/16]
Mayo Clinic Staff (2016). Type 2 diabetes. Mayo Clinic: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/home/ovc-20169860 [Accessed: 19/10/16]
Ministry of Health (2016). 2014/15 New Zealand Health Survey: Adult data tables. Wellington: Ministry of Health. http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2014-15-new-zealand-health-survey [Accessed: 19/10/16]
Morales Pozzo, A.E. (2014). Medscape drugs and diseases: Pediatric type 2 diabetes mellitus. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. http://reference.medscape.com/article/925700-overview [Accessed: 19/10/16]
O’Toole, M.T. (Ed.) (2013). Diabetes mellitus. Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (9th ed.). St Louis: Elsevier Mosby.