What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder characterized by Insulin Resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Your pancreas still makes insulin, but your body doesn't respond to it well (like a key that doesn't fit the lock anymore).

Who gets it?

Risk factors include:

• Obesity (especially belly fat).
• Family history.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Age >45.
• Certain ethnicities (African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American).

Symptoms:

T2D develops slowly. Many people have no symptoms initially and are diagnosed through routine screening.

• Fatigue.
• Increased thirst and urination.
• Blurred vision.
• Slow-healing wounds or frequent infections.

Treatment:

The goal is to keep blood sugar in the normal range to prevent complications.

• Lifestyle First: Weight loss (even 5-10%) and exercise are incredibly powerful.
• Metformin: The first-line medication.
• GLP-1 Agonists: Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc. (help with weight loss and protect the heart).
• SGLT2 Inhibitors: Jardiance, Farxiga (protect the heart and kidneys).
• Insulin: Sometimes needed, especially if diabetes is advanced or uncontrolled.

Complications (if uncontrolled):

• Heart disease and stroke.
• Kidney failure (Nephropathy).
• Nerve damage (Neuropathy).
• Blindness (Retinopathy).
• Amputation.

Good News: T2D can often be put into remission with aggressive lifestyle changes (weight loss, low-carb diet, exercise).