What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar. The condition is characterised by insulin resistance, which means that the body's cells respond less effectively to insulin and therefore have more difficulty taking up glucose from the blood.
To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin. Over time, the body's ability to produce insulin can decrease, causing blood sugar levels to rise and type 2 diabetes to develop.
The disease is closely linked to overweight, obesity and other metabolic risk factors. Abdominal obesity in particular has a strong association with insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Heredity, age, level of physical activity and other lifestyle habits also affect the risk of developing the disease.
What symptoms can type 2 diabetes cause?
Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually and can cause few or no clear symptoms for a long time. When blood sugar levels rise, common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness and reduced energy.
Some people may also experience blurred vision, recurring infections or slower wound healing. Because the disease often develops without clear symptoms, it is frequently detected during health checks or blood tests.
When blood sugar is elevated for a long time, the risk of diabetes-related complications increases. Elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye disease and nerve damage, among other conditions. Because type 2 diabetes often develops slowly and can cause few symptoms, it is important to be aware of risk factors such as overweight, obesity, heredity, increasing age and low levels of physical activity. Early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of related diseases.
How is the diagnosis made?
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed using blood tests that measure blood sugar levels. Common tests are fasting glucose and HbA1c, which shows the average blood sugar level over the past two to three months.
In addition to blood tests, an overall medical assessment is carried out that takes symptoms, medical history and risk factors into account. This often also includes measuring blood pressure, blood lipids, weight and waist circumference, because type 2 diabetes often occurs together with other cardiometabolic risk factors.
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
Treatment of type 2 diabetes aims to improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of related diseases. Healthy lifestyle habits form the basis of treatment, including:
- Stopping smoking
- Weight loss in overweight or obesity
- Healthy eating habits
- Regular physical activity
- Good sleep and stress management
For many people, metformin is the first medicine used for type 2 diabetes, while lifestyle measures are recommended at the same time. If blood sugar targets are not achieved or if other diseases are present, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or obesity, additional medicines may be considered.
Type 2 diabetes is often a progressive disease, which means that the body's ability to regulate blood sugar can deteriorate over time. Treatment therefore needs to be followed up regularly and may sometimes need to be adjusted or supplemented with additional medicines to achieve good blood sugar control.
Weight loss can improve type 2 diabetes
For people with overweight or obesity, weight loss is an important part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss can improve the body's insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Abdominal obesity in particular is closely linked to insulin resistance, high blood pressure and elevated blood lipids. For people with overweight or obesity, weight loss is therefore one of the most effective measures for improving metabolic health. Research shows that even moderate weight loss of 5 to 10 per cent of body weight can improve blood sugar control, and in some people greater weight loss can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes.
The amount of weight loss needed varies between individuals, but for many people sustainable weight loss is one of the most effective measures for improving metabolic health and treating type 2 diabetes.
For many people, the greatest challenge is not losing weight but maintaining the weight loss over time. When body weight decreases, biological mechanisms are activated that can increase hunger while reducing the body's energy expenditure. This is a normal physiological response and not a sign of a lack of motivation or willpower. Treatment of overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes therefore often needs to be viewed as a long-term process in which the aim is to create sustainable changes that can be maintained over time.
Diet, physical activity and weight loss in type 2 diabetes
Dietary treatment is an important part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Healthy eating habits can contribute to better blood sugar control, improved blood lipids and make weight loss easier in overweight or obesity.
Dietary changes often have the greatest effect when combined with regular physical activity. Together, these measures can improve the body's insulin sensitivity, reduce the amount of abdominal fat and help the body regulate blood sugar more effectively. For some people, medicines that support weight loss can also be a complement to lifestyle changes.
Physical activity is an important part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, cycling or swimming, can improve cardiovascular health, increase fitness and contribute to better blood sugar control. Strength training helps preserve or build muscle mass, which is particularly important during weight loss. Because muscle tissue plays a central role in the body's glucose metabolism, strength training can also improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. For most people, a combination of cardiovascular and strength training provides the greatest health benefits.
The most important thing is often to find sustainable lifestyle habits with an appropriate energy intake and good nutritional content that work in the long term. In general, a diet containing plenty of vegetables, pulses, fruit, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, fish and other nutritious foods is recommended. Foods rich in fibre and unsaturated fats have been linked to improved blood sugar control and cardiovascular health. At the same time, it can be valuable to limit the intake of sugary drinks, ultra-processed foods and other energy-dense products that can contribute to weight gain and poorer blood sugar control.
For many people with type 2 diabetes, the challenge is not knowing what is healthy, but making new habits work in everyday life over the long term. Work, family life, stress, lack of sleep and other demands can make it difficult to maintain changes over time. It is therefore often more effective to focus on small, realistic changes that can be integrated into everyday life than to aim for perfect eating habits or exercise routines. Consistency over time is often more important than short-term and extensive changes.
GLP-1 medicines can affect both weight and blood sugar
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a group of medicines used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The medicines mimic the effects of the body's own gut hormones and can contribute to both improved blood sugar control and weight loss.
They stimulate insulin release when blood sugar rises, reduce the release of glucagon and increase feelings of fullness. For many people, this leads to more balanced blood sugar levels, reduced appetite and lower energy intake.
For people with type 2 diabetes and concurrent overweight or obesity, GLP-1 medicines can be a complement to dietary changes, physical activity and other lifestyle measures. Treatment can contribute to improved blood sugar control while making weight loss easier.
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and other gastrointestinal problems, which often decrease over time. Whether the treatment is appropriate is determined through an individual medical assessment by a doctor.
Individual support for weight loss and diabetes
For people with overweight or obesity, individual support can be an important part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss can contribute to improved blood sugar control and reduced insulin resistance, which can lead to better metabolic health.
A combination of medical follow-up, dietary advice, physical activity and other lifestyle measures can provide good conditions for sustainable weight loss. For some people, medication can be a complement to lifestyle changes to make weight loss easier and improve blood sugar control.
At Yazen, medical treatment is combined with support from doctors and coaches. Treatment is individually adapted and followed up continuously, with a focus on both weight health and sustainable lifestyle habits over the long term. The aim is not only weight loss, but also improved blood sugar control, better metabolic health and a reduced risk of obesity-related complications.
Frequently asked questions about type 2 diabetes (FAQ)
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are two different diseases that both lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, causing the body to produce very little or no insulin at all. The disease often begins in childhood or early adulthood and requires treatment with insulin.
In type 2 diabetes, the body still produces insulin, but the cells respond less effectively to its effects, a condition known as insulin resistance. The disease most often develops in adulthood and is closely linked to factors such as overweight, obesity, heredity and physical inactivity.
Treatment also differs. Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin, while type 2 diabetes is often treated with a combination of lifestyle measures, medicines and sometimes insulin.
Does overweight always lead to type 2 diabetes?
No, not everyone with overweight or obesity develops type 2 diabetes. Overweight, particularly abdominal obesity, is an important risk factor because it increases the risk of insulin resistance, but heredity, age, level of physical activity and other factors also affect the risk.
At the same time, a large proportion of people with type 2 diabetes have overweight or obesity. Weight loss can therefore be an important part of both preventing and treating the disease, particularly for people at increased risk.
Does type 2 diabetes increase the risk of cardiovascular disease?
Yes, type 2 diabetes is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels over time and contribute to atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke and vascular disease, among other conditions.
Many people with type 2 diabetes also have other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids, overweight or obesity. The combination of these factors contributes to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Good blood sugar control, healthy lifestyle habits and treatment of other risk factors can reduce the risk of complications.
Is physical activity good for diabetes?
Yes, regular physical activity is an important part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes. When the muscles work, the body's uptake of glucose increases, which can contribute to lower blood sugar levels and improved insulin sensitivity.
Physical activity can also contribute to weight loss or weight stability, improve blood pressure and blood lipids, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Both cardiovascular exercise and strength training have positive effects, and increasing everyday movement can also make a difference.
The most important thing is to find a level of activity that works in the long term and suits your health and life situation.
Can stress affect blood sugar?
Yes, stress can affect blood sugar. When the body is exposed to stress, hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released, causing more glucose to be released into the blood. In people with type 2 diabetes, this can lead to higher blood sugar levels.
Long-term stress can also make it more difficult to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, for example when it comes to sleep, physical activity and eating habits. Stress management can therefore be an important part of the long-term treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Methods such as regular physical activity, recovery, good sleep and other stress-reducing activities can contribute to both better wellbeing and improved blood sugar control.
Do I have to take insulin injections for my type 2 diabetes?
No, most people with type 2 diabetes do not need insulin when the disease is diagnosed. Treatment often begins with lifestyle changes and medicines that help the body regulate blood sugar.
Because type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, the body's own insulin production can decrease over time. For some people, insulin treatment may therefore become appropriate later in the course of the disease, particularly if blood sugar cannot be adequately controlled with other treatments.
Which treatment is appropriate depends on factors including blood sugar levels, duration of the disease, other diseases and individual treatment goals.
Can type 2 diabetes go into remission if I lose weight?
For some people, significant weight loss can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes. This means that blood sugar levels return to levels below the threshold for diabetes without the need for diabetes medicines. The amount of weight loss required varies between individuals.
Remission does not necessarily mean that the disease has been cured. Blood sugar can rise again if weight increases or if the body's insulin production deteriorates over time. Continued follow-up and long-term lifestyle habits are therefore important even during remission.
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