Type 2 diabetes

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Type 2 diabetes

Definition:

Type 2 diabetes is alife-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

See also:

Alternative Names:

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; Diabetes - type 2

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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Diabetes is caused by a problem in the way your body makes or uses insulin.Insulinis needed to move glucose(blood sugar) into cells, where it is used for energy.

If glucose does not getinto thecells, the body cannot use it for energy.Too muchglucosewillthen remain in the blood, causing the symptoms ofdiabetes.

There are several types of diabetes. This article focuses on Type 2, which is usually accompanied by obesity andinsulin resistance.

Insulin resistancemeans thatinsulin produced by your pancreas cannot get inside fat and muscle cells to produce energy. Since thecells are not getting the insulinthey need,the pancreas produces more and more.Over time,abnormally high levels of sugar build up in the blood. This is called hyperglycemia. Many people with insulin resistance have hyperglycemia and high blood insulin levels at the same time. People who are overweight have a higher risk of insulin resistance, because fat interferes with the body's ability to use insulin.

Type 2 diabetes usually occurs gradually. Most people with the disease are overweight at the time of diagnosis. However, Type 2 diabetes can also develop in those who are thin, especially the elderly.

Family history and genetics play a large role in type 2 diabetes. Low activity level, poor diet, and excess body weight (especially around the waist) significantly increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Other risk factors include:

Race/ethnicity (African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Native Americans all have high rates of diabetes)
Age greater than 45 years
Previously identified impaired glucose tolerance by your doctor
High blood pressure
HDL cholesterol of less than 35mg/dL or triglyceride level of greater than 250mg/dL
History of gestational diabetes

References:

Rao G. Insulin resistance syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2001 Mar 15;63(6):1159-63, 1165-6.

Watson S,Miller K. Encyclopedia of the Human Body: The Endocrine System. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing, 2004.

Larson PR, Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, et al. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 10th ed. St. Louis, MO: WB Saunders; 2003.