In type 2 diabetes, the body does produce insulin but the insulin is ineffective, or there is not enough insulin, or both. It accounts for approximately 85% of people with diabetes and while it is usually seen in adults, it is increasingly being seen in teenagers and children.
Regular physical activity, a healthy eating plan and maintaining a 'healthy waist’ are the cornerstone of managing type 2 diabetes.
Signs of type 2 diabetes may include:
- Thirst
- Frequent urination
- Lethargy or being very tired
- Blurred vision
- Possible weight gain
- Infections or wounds that don't improve
- Constant hunger
- Mood swings
Statistically, for every person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, there is another who is undiagnosed. This is because they may not experience any signs, or the signs are too vague to bring about a visit to the doctor.
The Cause
While the cause of type 2 diabetes is currently unknown, research indicates that there are a range of associated risk factors. Only some of these risk factors can be changed.
Risk factors which cannot be changed include:
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Being over 40 years of age
- Being of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Melanesian, Polynesian, Chinese or Indian subcontinent descent
- Being a woman who has had gestational diabetes or who has polycystic ovary syndrome
- Having a mental health condition
Risk factors which can be changed include:
- Being overweight: having a waist measurement over 80cm for women and over 94cm for men
- Being physically inactive
- Not following a healthy eating pattern
- Smoking
- Having high cholesterol or blood pressure
To find out if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, take the online tick test here.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
Adopting healthy lifestyle practices is currently the only, yet powerful, way to prevent type 2 diabetes. These include:
- Being physically active: Try to participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week
- Enjoy healthy eating: Eat a wide variety of low fat, high fibre, low GI foods
- Maintaining a healthy waist circumference: Keep your waist to less than 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women
Management
The cornerstone of type 2 diabetes management is physical activity, healthy eating and stress management. However, these measures may need to coexist with medications and insulin, especially as the disease progresses.
The importance of blood glucose monitoring
Blood glucose monitoring is like a jigsaw, with two pieces to the puzzle. One piece is the self blood glucose monitoring and the other is the A1c, also known as HbA1c. Together they provide the whole picture of blood glucose levels.
Being able to self blood glucose monitor empowers the person to manage their diabetes and to make informed decisions about physical activity, healthy eating, and stress management. It further empowers them and their diabetes team to make the best decisions in the management of their diabetes, including medication options.
The A1c provides a measurement of the average blood glucose levels of the last three months, giving information on the risk of developing long term complications.
Finding a Cure
For now, there is no cure available for type 2 diabetes. It is hoped that the multiple research studies currently being conducted world-wide will lead to better knowledge about type 2 diabetes.
Key Words
A1c / HbA1c: The A1c test, sometimes known as HbA1c, determines the average blood glucose levels over the past three months. The results are measured in % and the aim is for the A1c reading to be less than 7 % to reduce the risk of complications.
Fibre: Fibre helps to lower cholesterol levels, prevents certain cancers (especially bowel cancer), gives a feeling of fullness or satisfaction for longer and helps to control blood glucose levels.
Glycemic Index (GI): A ranking of the rate at which carbohydrate is broken down and released as glucose into the blood stream.
Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance is where insulin becomes less effective at lowering blood glucose levels. A contributing factor to insulin resistance is fat found around the internal organs including the liver - this is called visceral fat. Some people with insulin resistance can look very lean, but they still may have visceral fat. Another contributor to insulin resistance is insufficient physical activity.
Physical Activity: The combination of planned exercise, such as a walk in the park or playing tennis, and incidental activity, such as parking your car further away from the shop, or taking the stairs.
Progression: Type 2 diabetes is known as a progressive condition, where the longer a person has type 2 diabetes, the harder it is to maintain blood glucose control. This means the person is likely to progress from lifestyle management through to medication, combination medications and insulin. The rate of progression will vary from person to person.
Saturated fats: Derived mainly from animal fats, saturated fats can contribute to insulin resistance. Saturated fats can also lay fatty deposits on blood vessel walls, which makes it harder for the blood to flow, causing disease of the blood vessels (cardiovascular disease).
Self Blood Glucose Monitoring. A measurement of blood glucose levels at that point in time. It gives an immediate reading whether your blood glucose level is considered high, normal or low and is measured in mmol/L. Target ranges vary from individual to individual and should be discussed with a diabetes specialist or educator.
For further information, download our detailed information sheets.
