Type 2 Diabetes (DMII)

Written By Darren Chandler

If you feel like any of these issues effect you then you should contact your GP. This text is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or outline a course of treatment for any particular individual or any particular condition. It is also not meant to contradict any existing diagnosis or treatment for any individual or condition. Any changes to diet or exercise should only be made after consultation with an appropriate healthcare practitioner.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is caused by a problem with a hormone called Insulin resulting in the level of sugar in the blood becoming too high. It can be linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of Type 2 Diabetes.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

The symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes may include:

  • Feeling tired particularly after meals.

  • Feeling hungry.

  • Urinating more frequently especially during the night.

  • Increased thirst.

  • Blurred vision.

  • Itchiness especially around the genitals.

  • Slow healing of cuts and wounds.

  • Yeast infections e.g. thrush.

  • Having a skin disorder e.g. psoriasis or acanthosis nigricans.

  • Sudden loss of weight or muscle mass.

Type 2 Diabetes can come on slowly, usually after the age of 40 (or 25 if you are of South Asian origin). The signs may not be obvious, or there may be no signs at all, therefore you can be harbouring Type 2 Diabetes for 10 years before you know you have it.

Risk factors to developing Type 2 Diabetes

The NHS identify risk factors as being:

1. Obesity (body mass index – BMI – of 30 or greater)

Obesity accounts for 80-85% of the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes with obese people being up to 80 times more likely to develop the disease. This is particularly true if you have excess weight around your stomach (i.e. a large waistline).

However reducing your body weight, by even a small amount, can help improve your Insulin sensitivity and decrease your risk of Type 2 Diabetes, as well as heart disease and different types of cancer.

A 5% reduction in body weight when accompanied with regular moderate intensity exercise can reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes by more than 50%. 

2. Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle

Staying active helps manage weight and decreases Insulin resistance helping your body’s Insulin to be more effective. Here is a NHS link for advice on exercise and the Couch to 5K podcast.

3. Eating a ‘Western’ diet

Eating unhealthily is a major cause of Type 2 Diabetes. A ‘Western diet’ is characterised by processed foods, poor quality fats, excessive sugars and a lack of fibre. Here is a link for the NHS guide to healthy eating.

4. High cholesterol and high blood pressure

High cholesterol and high blood pressure is a risk factor for developing Type 2 Diabetes and are major symptoms of pre-diabetes.

5. Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes affects about 2 to 5% of women who fall pregnant. Those women who suffer from it have an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes as do their children.

6. Family history

Having a close family member with Type 2 Diabetes can increase your own risk of developing the condition.

Many ethnic minorities are more prone to suffer from Type 2 Diabetes including those descended from:

  • South Asian countries. 

  • African and Africa-Caribbean countries.

  • Hispanic countries.

  • Native Americans.

  • Natives of Alaska.

  • Pacific Islanders. 

7. Age 

The older we are, especially if you are over 40, or 25 if you are of South Asian origin, the greater the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Here is a NHS link to find out your risk score of developing Type 2 Diabetes

Darren Chandler
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