The reasons | Disease development | Manifestations and complications
Type 2 diabetes is a common disease. It is the most common form of diabetes worldwide, affecting more than 10% of the population in developed countries, and the number is growing.
The reasons
Type 2 diabetes refers to metabolic diseases, the origin of which is completely different from the rarer type 1 diabetes. This disease does not result in an immune response that destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The disease develops slowly, as a result of interactions between factors such as:
- abdominal obesity with an increase in waist circumference (apple-type obesity);
- hypertension;
- high levels of cholesterol and other fats.
Together, these factors are called metabolic syndrome, and genetics play an important role in its development. Some people are more prone to disorder than others.
Disease development
There is a person with genetic prerequisites for the disease (a large percentage of the population has a predisposition). He does not eat well, he is not familiar with a healthy lifestyle, movement, he smokes, drinks alcohol. Due to lack of movement and poor nutrition, obesity develops over time, which is characterized by complex metabolic processes. Fat stored in the abdominal region is able to release fatty acids (fat components) to a greater extent.
In addition, in such an unhealthy person, some tissues, especially muscle, in the absence of physical activity begin to show insensitivity to the effects of insulin. This is called insulin resistance. Sugar can no longer be easily transferred from the blood to cells, although insulin is produced in sufficient quantities. After a meal, glycemia decreases slowly and blood sugar is higher than usual. This condition is called prediabetes and can take many years to develop.
The fatty acids released from the adipose tissue surrounding the abdominal organs and the higher post-meal glycemia begin to damage the insulin-producing cells. High levels of sugar and fatty acids are toxic (they are formed by oxygen radicals, which leads to oxidative stress).
Manifestations and complications
The consequence of type 2 diabetes (in the absence of appropriate therapy) is a gradual increase in blood sugar values with the appearance of hyperglycemia. Sugar is excreted in the urine, taking water with it, which causes excessive urination and therefore thirst. With long-term preservation of this state, numerous complications develop:
- atherosclerosis;
- eye damage in diabetic retinopathy (risk of blindness);
- kidney damage in diabetic nephropathy;
- neuropathy;
- violation of the emptying ability of the intestine;
- increased risk of heart attacks, strokes.
One of the most serious complications is the development of a diabetic foot, which can lead to the need for amputation. Because of the decreased immunity in long-term diabetes, the patient is more at risk of developing infections.