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Diabetes mellitus is a long-term condition where the body is unable to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood properly. |
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Diabetes develops when the body no longer responds adequately to the natural hormone insulin, or when production of insulin is too low. |
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Causes of type 2 diabetes |
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Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin. |
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This happens when the body's tissues (eg muscle), do not fully respond to insulin and so cannot make use of the glucose in the blood for energy. |
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The pancreas responds by producing more insulin. In addition the liver, where glucose is stored, releases more glucose to try to increase the amount available. |
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Eventually the pancreas becomes less able to produce enough insulin and the tissues become more resistant to insulin. As a result, blood glucose levels slowly start to rise. |
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Symptoms of type 2 diabetes |
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increased production of urine |
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unusual thirst |
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tiredness |
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loss of weight |
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blurred vision |
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infections such as thrush or irritation of the genitals |
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Occasionally people with type 2 diabetes develop a condition called hyperosmotic non-ketotic acidosis (HONK). |
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HONK is caused by blood sugar levels rising to very high levels. |
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It causes extreme thirst, nausea, dry skin, increased urine production and disorientation. |
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Eventually it can cause drowsiness and loss of consciousness. |
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