What is type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body cannot maintain healthy blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Type 2 diabetes develops when your body:

• does not respond properly to insulin
• gradually stops making enough insulin

Insulin is a hormone that controls the amount of glucose in your blood. Insulin helps glucose move from your blood into your cells, where it can be used for energy.

In type 2 diabetes, your cells do not respond properly to insulin. This is known as ‘insulin resistance'. It causes glucose to stay in your blood, leading to high blood glucose levels. This is known as hyperglycaemia.

Your chance of having type 2 diabetes increases with age. But it is possible for young people and even children to have type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is different from type 1 diabetes.

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

Many people with type 2 diabetes do not have any symptoms at first. It may go undiagnosed for years.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:

• being very thirsty
• passing urine (doing a wee) more often than usual
• feeling tired
• feeling hungry
• blurred vision
• frequent infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• having wounds that heal slowly

Over time, diabetes can lead to complications, which can cause other symptoms.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is not known. But risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include:

• increasing age
• family history of diabetes
• being overweight or obese, especially with excess weight around your waist
• a low level of physical activity
• a poor diet
• smoking
• having high blood pressure or high cholesterol

Other things that can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes are:

• if you are from a certain ethnicity or cultural background — including people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islanders, those with a Chinese cultural background and people from the Indian subcontinent
• having had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
• having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

When should I see my doctor?

If you have any symptoms of type 2 diabetes, see your doctor.

Even if you don't have symptoms, your doctor should check your risk of type 2 diabetes every 3 years from 40 years of age.

They will use the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK), which considers your:

• age, sex and ethnicity
• family history of diabetes
• blood pressure
• whether you smoke
• what you eat
• how much physical activity you get
• your waist measurement

If your risk of type 2 diabetes is increased, you may need a blood test.

It's recommended that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people have screening blood tests every year from 18 years of age.

How is type 2 diabetes diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. They will also ask about your general health and family medical history.

Your doctor will do blood glucose tests. You may have a:

• fasting blood glucose test — where you don't eat for several hours before the test
• random blood glucose test — where you don't need to stop eating before the test
• oral glucose tolerance test — where you have blood glucose tests after you drink a sugary drink
• HbA1C test — which indicates how much sugar has been in your blood over the past few months

Depending on whether you have symptoms, you may need to have a repeat test. Other blood tests may be done to check for complications of type 2 diabetes.

You may also be asked to do a urine test.

Watch the first video below to learn why it's important to detect undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. The second video tells you all about the HbA1c test.

Video provided by Diabetes Australia.

Video provided by Pathology Tests Explained

How is type 2 diabetes treated?

Type 2 diabetes can be managed with lifestyle measures and medicines. Treatment aims to:

• optimise your quality of life
• prevent or delay diabetes complications

Healthcare professionals who may be involved in your diabetes care include:

• your doctor
• an endocrinologist (a doctor who specialises in diabetes)
• a diabetes educator
• a dietitian
• a podiatrist

As well as managing your blood glucose levels, your doctor will recommend treatment for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, if you need it.

Lifestyle changes for type 2 diabetes

Following a healthy lifestyle is very important in managing type 2 diabetes. It‘s important for controlling your blood glucose levels. It can also help to prevent complications.

Lifestyle measures include:

• eating a healthy diet
• being physically active
• losing weight if you are overweight or obese
• quitting smoking
• limiting how much alcohol you drink

If you are overweight or obese, losing even 5% to 10% of your body weight can significantly improve your blood sugar control.

If you follow lifestyle recommendations and lose weight, your diabetes can go into remission. This means that your blood glucose levels are well controlled for at least 3 months without needing medicines.

Your doctor or dietitian can advise you on what to eat to meet your nutritional needs and control your blood sugar levels.

Medicines for type 2 diabetes

There are many types of diabetes medicines that work in different ways to control your blood glucose levels. Some medicines can also reduce your risk of heart and kidney disease.

You may need more than one medicine to control your blood glucose levels. Some people with type 2 diabetes may eventually need to take insulin.

You may need to regularly monitor your blood sugar levels. You can do this with the help of your doctor and diabetes educator.

If you are living with type 2 diabetes you can join the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) for access to a range of resources, support services and subsidised diabetes products.

Living with type 2 diabetes

Your doctor will recommend regular health checks and tests, including:

• blood tests to check your blood glucose control and kidney function
• blood pressure checks
• eye tests
• foot care checks

What are the complications of type 2 diabetes?

Treating type 2 diabetes helps prevent long-term diabetes complications, such as:

• heart disease
• stroke
• peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the arteries in your legs and feet)
• kidney disease
• eye complications
• foot problems
• nerve problems

Watch this video to learn how to take care of your feet if you have diabetes. The video is available in multiple languages.

Video provided by Diabetes Victoria.

It's also possible to have short-term complications, such as:

• hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) related to treatment
• diabetic ketoacidosis
• infections

Having type 2 diabetes can affect your mental health. It can increase your risk of anxiety or depression.

Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by:

• achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
• doing regular physical activity
• eating healthily

You can also lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by not smoking and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.

If you have pre-diabetes, weight loss and lifestyle changes can stop you getting type 2 diabetes.

Resources and support

Visit Diabetes Australia for information and resources. You can also:

• call Diabetes Australia on 1800 177 055
• find resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• get multicultural resources
• use the Diabetes Australia risk calculator

The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) has a range of resources, support services and subsidised diabetes products. The NDSS website also has diabetes information in languages other than English.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.