Cause[change | change source]

Normally, blood sugar level is regulated by insulin, but in type 2 diabetes this does not work
properly. Insulin is a hormone which tells the muscle and fat cells of the body to take up sugar from
the blood. If there is too much sugar in the blood for a long period of time, the muscle and fat cells
start to ignore insulin. As a result, sugar stays in the blood and is not taken up, leading to a high
blood sugar.[2]
This situation is different from diabetes mellitus type 1. In this case, the islet cells, which make
insulin in the pancreas, have been destroyed by the body, and as a result there is no insulin.
[3]
 Diabetes type 1 usually occurs in children or young adults, whilst diabetes type 2 usually occurs in
older people. However, recently childhood obesity has led to some young adults and teenagers
developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes makes up around 90% of cases of diabetes, while type 1
diabetes and other types of diabetes make up the other 10%.[3]
Type 2 diabetes is a result of both genetics and lifestyle. People who have relatives with diabetes
type 2 are at an increased risk. They may develop diabetes if they have other risk factors in their
lifestyle, for example obesity or low amount of exercise.[4]

Treatment[change | change source]
Type 2 diabetes can often be treated just by losing weight and exercising more, as these increase the
body’s sensitivity to insulin. A medicine called Metformin is often prescribed, which works by
helping the fat and muscle cells of the body listen to the signal from insulin to take up sugar from the
blood.[5]

Cause
The development of type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors.[23]
[25]
 While some of these factors are under personal control, such as diet and obesity, other factors are
not, such as increasing age, female gender, and genetics.[19] A lack of sleep has been linked to type 2
diabetes.[26] This is believed to act through its effect on metabolism.[26] The nutritional status of a
mother during fetal development may also play a role, with one proposed mechanism being that of
altered DNA methylation.[27] The intestinal bacteriæ Prevotella copri and Bacteroides vulgatus have
been connected with type 2 diabetes.[28]
Lifestyle
Main article:  Lifestyle causes of diabetes mellitus type 2
Lifestyle factors are important to the development of type 2 diabetes, including obesity and
being overweight (defined by a body mass index of greater than 25), lack of physical activity, poor
diet, stress, and urbanization.[19][29] Excess body fat is associated with 30% of cases in those of
Chinese and Japanese descent, 60–80% of cases in those of European and African descent, and 100%
of cases in Pima Indians and Pacific Islanders.[7] Among those who are not obese, a high waist–hip
ratio is often present.[7] Smoking appears to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.[30]
Dietary factors also influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consumption of sugar-
sweetened drinks in excess is associated with an increased risk.[31][32] The type of fats in the diet are
important, with saturated fats and trans fatty acids increasing the risk,
and polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat decreasing the risk.[25] Eating a lot of white
rice appears to play a role in increasing risk.[33] A lack of exercise is believed to cause 7% of cases.
[34]
 Persistent organic pollutants may play a role.[35]
Genetics
Main article:  Genetic causes of diabetes mellitus type 2
Most cases of diabetes involve many genes, with each being a small contributor to an increased
probability of becoming a type 2 diabetic.[19] If one identical twin has diabetes, the chance of the
other developing diabetes within his lifetime is greater than 90%, while the rate for nonidentical
siblings is 25–50%.[7] As of 2011, more than 36 genes had been found that contribute to the risk of
type 2 diabetes.[36] All of these genes together still only account for 10% of the total heritable
component of the disease.[36] The TCF7L2 allele, for example, increases the risk of developing
diabetes by 1.5 times and is the greatest risk of the common genetic variants.[7] Most of the genes
linked to diabetes are involved in beta cell functions.[7]
There are a number of rare cases of diabetes that arise due to an abnormality in a single gene (known
as monogenic forms of diabetes or "other specific types of diabetes").[7][19]These include maturity
onset diabetes of the young (MODY), Donohue syndrome, and Rabson–Mendenhall syndrome,
among others.[19] Maturity onset diabetes of the young constitute 1–5% of all cases of diabetes in
young people.[37]
Medical conditions
There are a number of medications and other health problems that can predispose to diabetes.
[38]
 Some of the medications include: glucocorticoids, thiazides, beta blockers, atypical
antipsychotics,[39] and statins.[40] Those who have previously had gestational diabetes are at a higher
risk of developing type 2 diabetes.[22] Other health problems that are associated
include: acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma, and
certain cancers such as glucagonomas.[38] Testosterone deficiency is also associated with type 2
diabetes.[41][42]

Prevention
Main article:  Prevention of diabetes mellitus type 2
Onset of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented through proper nutrition and regular exercise.[59]
[60]
 Intensive lifestyle measures may reduce the risk by over half.[23][61] The benefit of exercise occurs
regardless of the person's initial weight or subsequent weight loss.[62] High levels of physical activity
reduce the risk of diabetes by about 28%.[63]Evidence for the benefit of dietary changes alone,
however, is limited,[64] with some evidence for a diet high in green leafy vegetables[65] and some for
limiting the intake of sugary drinks.[31] In those with impaired glucose tolerance, diet and exercise
either alone or in combination with metformin or acarbose may decrease the risk of developing
diabetes.[23][66] Lifestyle interventions are more effective than metformin.[23] While low vitamin
D levels are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, correcting the levels by supplementing
vitamin D3 does not improve that risk.[67]
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes
There are three main symptoms of diabetes and these
include polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased
hunger) and polyuria (increased frequency of urination). In
addition, patients may complain of fatigue, weight loss and
loss of muscle bulk.

Type 2 diabetes may develop gradually and obesity,

overweight and lack of physical activity are thought to be
major contributors to the condition.

Causes and consequences of type 2

diabetes
The high blood glucose found in diabetes can damage the
blood vessels which can lead to several complications such
as heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, eye
damage blindness, impotence and stroke.

Prevention, treatment and care

Blood sugar should be regularly monitored so that any
problems can be detected and treated early. Treatment
involves lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy and
balanced diet and regular physical exercise. In type 2
diabetics, blood sugar may be controlled using oral
medications or even insulin injections in the advanced
stages of disease.