Key Facts
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. It is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for ~90-95% of all cases globally. Unlike Type 1, T2DM is primarily a disease of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, often linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Pathophysiology
T2DM is a multi-factorial disease involving a combination of insulin resistance (reduced sensitivity of muscle, liver, and fat cells to insulin) and progressive beta-cell dysfunction. Visceral adiposity plays a critical role by releasing inflammatory cytokines (adipokines) that impair insulin signaling. Over time, the pancreas can no longer compensate for high glucose levels, leading to chronic hyperglycemia.
Symptoms & Clinical Features
Diagnosis
Screening is recommended for adults with BMI ≥25. Diagnosis is established by: 1. HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, 2. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) ≥ 126 mg/dL, or 3. 2-hour 75g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) ≥ 200 mg/dL. Asymptomatic patients require two abnormal test results for confirmation.
Diagnostic Pathway
Initial Screening
Symptom review and baseline hormonal blood tests.
Confirmatory Testing
Advanced diagnostic protocols (e.g., OGTT, MRI, Suppression tests).
Personalized Plan
Tailored treatment strategy based on clinical results.
Treatment & Management
Management is categorized into three pillars: 1. Lifestyle Modification (Structured diet and ≥150 min/week of moderate exercise). 2. First-line Pharmacotherapy (Metformin is standard). 3. Advanced Agents (SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists are now prioritized for patients with high cardiovascular or renal risk). Insulin is used when glycemic targets cannot be met with oral or non-insulin injectable agents.
Personalized treatment plans for your health.