What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is the most common form of diabetes, which can affect any one at any age.

The number of diabetics in the US and around the world is increasing year after year, and most of them suffer from Type 2. More than 29 million people in the US have been diagnosed with diabetes, which represents an increase of nearly 50 percent over the last decade.

Obesity is one of the primary causes of T2DM. The condition can be effectively controlled with bariatric surgery and sustained weight loss. Dr. Wiljon Beltre is one of the leading bariatric surgeons providing leading-edge weight loss procedures s in Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and other neighboring cities and suburbs.

Perils of Type 2 Diabetes

Today, more than 38 million Americans suffer from diabetes—mostly Type 2—and nearly 98 million adults have prediabetes.

According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of diabetics will more than double by 2030. Right now, diabetes claims more American lives (approximately one every three minutes) than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

T2DM is also a leading cause of kidney failure, blindness, heart failure, amputations, and stroke. Living with Type 2 diabetes places a major physical, emotional, and financial burden on patients and their families.

The annual cost of this managing this disease has risen by 35% over the past decade, reaching $412.9 billion in 2023—accounting for about one in every four health care dollars spent.

Importance of Insulin

Insulin is a crucial hormone produced in the pancreas. This hormone is supposed to release when the body turns food into glucose (sugar). Insulin helps glucose enter the cells, which helps produce energy. However, this function fails in people with Type 2 diabetes.

This non-insulin dependent diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and can occur for several reasons. Also known as adult onset diabetes, this condition often occurs after age 35. However, it is becoming more common in younger patients.

People with Type 2 diabetes still produce some insulin, but it’s often not enough. In some cases, the insulin acts like a key, trying to unlock the body’s cells to allow glucose inside. However, if the key doesn’t work properly, the cells will not open, leading to a condition called insulin resistance.

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes is a malfunction of the metabolic system, which means the body is unable to process glucose correctly. In a non-diabetic person, the peptide hormone (insulin) metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. As a result, those with Type 2 diabetes struggle with elevated blood sugar levels because the pancreas either produces too little or no insulin or it resists insulin.

Additional causes of Type 2 diabetes include:

• Family history
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Insulin resistance
• Poor diet
• Advanced age
• Ethnicity (e.g., African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American have higher risks)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Gestational diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

According to research, there appears to be a strong relationship between excessive body weight or obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Both may become the cause and effect of each other in some cases. It is also associated with people who have a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet control.

Bariatric surgery may be considered for thoe who are significantly overweight. Dr. Beltre, a dedicated bariatric surgeon, offers weight loss procedures to patients in Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and surrounding areas.

Important Note: If the weight is regained, diabetes and other conditions could return.

Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes often develop slowly, which means you can have it and not realize it for years. That’s why it’s so important to get regular health screenings.

When signs and symptoms are present, they include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Unintended weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Areas of darkened skin, typically near the armpits and neck

Common Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes

According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery obesity (defined as a body mass index of (BMI) of 30 or more) is a major independent risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes.

Approximately 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes have obesity or are overweight.

Additional risk factors include:

1. Fat distribution
   Men and women who carry excess weight in their abdomen have an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. The abdominal cavity stores visceral or active fat around several important internal organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. When these organs are compromised by excess fat, they are unable to function properly.
2. Inactivity
   The less active you are, the higher your risk. Physical activity helps control your weight and expends glucose as energy and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.
3. Family history
   The risk of Type 2 diabetes increases if an immediate family member (e.g., parent or sibling) has it.
4. Blood lipid levels
   Low levels of HDL, the good cholesterol, and high triglycerides (fats) are associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes.
5. Age
   The risk of Type 2 diabetes increases with age, especially after age 45.
6. Prediabetes
   If your doctor has diagnosed you with prediabetes, that means your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. If left untreated or unmanaged, it can often progress into Type 2 diabetes.
7. Gestational diabetes during pregnancy
   Women with gestational diabetes during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Women who gave birth to a baby over 9 pounds are also in a higher risk category with or without gestational diabetes.
8. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
   PCOS is a common condition that increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes and is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth, and obesity.
9. Areas of darkened skin around the armpits and neck
   This is a visual cue of insulin resistance and should be checked by a medical professional, as it may increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes

If you’ve tried everything to lose weight, lower your cholesterol, and regulate your blood sugar—with little success—it’s time to talk to the metabolic specialists at Beltre Bariatric.

Once we understand your unique situation, we can help address your metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes with safe, effective laparoscopic metabolic surgical options, which include:

• Sleeve gastrectomy
  A surgical weight-loss procedure that removes a portion of the stomach to reduce its size and capacity. This procedure helps people lose weight by restricting the amount of food they can consume at a time.
• Gastric bypass
  A surgery that divides the stomach into an upper and much larger lower pouch. The intestines are then rearranged to connect to both. This helps people lose weight by changing how the stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat.

These metabolic procedures cause your body to release hormones like, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which help stop Type 2 diabetes in the days following the surgery.

If you’re ready to take back your life, lose the weight, and treat your Type 2 diabetes call Beltre Bariatrics to schedule a consultation. Dr. Wiljon Beltre is a board-certified bariatric surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive, advanced surgical techniques to help heal your body and improve longevity.

To learn more about the procedures & treatments performed by Orlando Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Wiljon Beltre, at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Call 407-329-9210 or schedule a consultation.