What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a health condition that stems from a range of environmental factors. It involves the inadequate production of insulin by the pancreas or the body’s own rejection to the insulin that is produced. Diabetes can be a condition that affects you for a lifetime and involves a person’s blood sugar level becoming higher than usual. In contrast to type 1 diabetes, this health problem is usually diagnosed in maturing adults – however due to the current rates of obesity, malnourishment and lack of nutritional vigilance, the diagnosing age is dropping rapidly.

How it Develops?

In the case of both forms of diabetes, the body loses its efficiency in using sugars. This can cause an increase in our level of blood sugar as the body’s system is unable to effectively remove the sugar from the bloodstream and transport it to cells which require it for the process of respiration. Glucose is an example of a sugar that fuels this process and is essential for the correct functioning of the body. Those who suffer from type 2 diabetes are unable to transport these sugars efficiently, because insulin is needed for the process and absorption into cells.

What are the Risk Factors?

So why exactly is this happening? Well, type 2 diabetes usually occurs in individuals who are overweight, obese or consume a high proportion of sugar, processed foods and saturated fats within their diet. In the world of an ordinary teenager, young person and highly scheduled adult, meal planning and healthy eating are not usually considered a priority and eating is usually on the go and in the most convenient form for their situation. This leads to a diet consisting of more fast food, take-outs and ready meals – all of which are a haven for high salt, high cholesterol and high saturated fats. It’s these substances in particular that can trigger the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Is it Dangerous?

As diabetes is a life-long condition, it can also lead to a number of other health problems such as issues with blood circulation, kidney damage and high blood pressure. For these reasons an early diagnosis of diabetes is essential in securing a healthier future and preventing the development of further problems. If blood sugar levels are brought under control early, then blood pressure is also managed more effectively – this will allow a sufferer of type 2 diabetes to live a happier and healthier life.