Type 2 diabetes how is it caused

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly—over the course of several years—and can be so mild that you might not even notice them. Many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms. Some people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes-related health problems, such as blurred vision or heart trouble.

Scientists think type 1 diabetes is caused by genes and environmental factors, such as viruses, that might trigger the disease. Studies such as TrialNet are working to pinpoint causes of type 1 diabetes and possible ways to prevent or slow the disease.

Type 2 diabetes —the most common form of diabetes—is caused by several factors, including lifestyle factors and genes. You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are not physically active and are overweight or obese. Extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The location of body fat also makes a difference. Extra belly fat is linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart and blood vessel disease.

Type 2 diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance , a condition in which muscle, liver , and fat cells do not use insulin well. As a result, your body needs more insulin to help glucose enter cells. At first, the pancreas makes more insulin to keep up with the added demand. As in type 1 diabetes, certain genes may make you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Scientists believe gestational diabetes , a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, is caused by the hormonal changes of pregnancy along with genetic and lifestyle factors.

Hormones produced by the placenta contribute to insulin resistance, which occurs in all women during late pregnancy. Most pregnant women can produce enough insulin to overcome insulin resistance, but some cannot. As with type 2 diabetes, extra weight is linked to gestational diabetes. Women who are overweight or obese may already have insulin resistance when they become pregnant.

Stress is a part of life, but it can make managing diabetes harder, including managing your blood sugar levels and dealing with daily diabetes care.

Regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, and relaxation exercises can help. Talk to your doctor and diabetes educator about these and other ways you can manage stress. Whether you were just diagnosed with diabetes or have had it for some time, meeting with a diabetes educator is a great way to get support and guidance, including how to:. Childhood obesity rates are rising, and so are the rates of type 2 diabetes in youth.

Parents can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by developing a plan for the whole family:. Healthy changes become habits more easily when everyone makes them together. Find out how to take charge family style with these healthy tips. Tap into online diabetes communities for encouragement, insights, and support. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.

It may take some time for you and your doctor to find the best medication or combination of medications to treat your diabetes. If your blood pressure or cholesterol levels are also not ideal, you may need medications to address those needs as well.

If your body is unable to make enough insulin, you may need insulin therapy. You may only need a long-acting injection you can take at night, or you may need to take insulin several times per day. Learn about medications that can help you manage diabetes. Diet is an important tool to help maintain optimal heart health and blood glucose levels that are within a safe range. The diet recommended for people with type 2 diabetes is the same diet just about everyone should follow.

It boils down to a few key actions:. These include:. Some people may need to monitor their glucose more carefully than others after eating these foods. Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes does not mean carbs are off the table. Healthy carbohydrates can provide you with energy and fiber. Some options include:. Fat is not off the table, either. Foods with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids include:. You can get healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from a number of foods, including:.

Talk with your doctor about your personal nutrition goals. Together, you can come up with a diet plan that tastes great and suits your lifestyle needs. While there are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes that are out of your control like your age and heritage, as mentioned above , there are certain lifestyle choices that can also put you at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Some of these include:.

Whether or not you have prediabetes, you should see your doctor right away if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of diabetes.

Your doctor can get a lot of information from blood work. Diagnostic testing may include the following:. If you have diabetes, your doctor will provide you with information about how to manage the disease, including:. You may need to see an endocrinologist who specializes in the treatment of diabetes. This is true even if you have increased risk factors like prediabetes. For many people, type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed.

If not properly managed, it can affect virtually all of your organs and lead to serious complications, including:. Hypoglycemia can occur when your blood sugar is low. The symptoms can include shakiness, dizziness, and difficulty speaking. Hyperglycemia can happen when blood sugar is high. Monitoring your blood glucose carefully, and staying active, can help prevent hyperglycemia. Managing type 2 diabetes requires teamwork.

Your doctor may want to perform periodic blood tests to determine your blood glucose levels. Your doctor may also recommend a home monitoring system to test your own blood glucose levels between visits. Because diabetes can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease , your doctor may want to monitor your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. If you have symptoms of heart disease, you may need additional tests.

It may also be helpful to bring your family into the loop. Educating them about the warning signs of blood glucose levels that are too high or too low will allow them to help in an emergency.

Type 2 diabetes in children is a growing issue. One study found that the incidence of type 2 diabetes in youth has increased to about 5, new cases per year.