What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are high due to your body not making enough of a hormone called insulin or the insulin it does make doesn’t work properly.
High blood sugar levels over time can lead to complications such as heart attacks, strokes and problems with your kidneys, eyes and feet.
In some cases, it is possible to put type 2 diabetes into remission and research suggests weight loss is key to do this.
Type 2 diabetes can go undiagnosed for years if you don’t have symptoms or your symptoms are missed. Common symptoms of diabetes can include:
- Needing to go for a pee a lot, especially at night
- Being really thirsty
- Feeling more tired than usual
- Losing weight without trying to
What is the link between liver disease and type 2 diabetes?
Living with fatty liver disease can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, research suggests that for every 5% increase in liver fat, the risk of type 2 diabetes increases by 27%. But there are several other risk factors of type 2 diabetes including:
- Living with overweight or obesity
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Your ethnicity
- Having a high waist measurement
Living with both conditions can increase your likelihood of experiencing diabetes complications and developing more serious liver disease so it’s important to find out if you could be affected.
How is type 2 diabtetes treated?
There are a number of different treatments for type 2 diabetes depending on your blood sugar level range. Some people can manage their condition through healthy eating, being active and managing weight.
Others may need medication to put their blood sugar levels in a healthy range. This can be in the form of tablets and sometimes injections, which may include insulin.
Treatment for type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease are similar and, although there is currently no licensed medication for fatty liver disease, it can also be managed through healthy eating and keeping active. If you live with both conditions, it is possible for them to be managed to prevent them from getting worse. This will also decrease your risk of having longer-term complications.
Where can I find more information and support?
Diabetes UK have lots of online and printed information on their website to help you get advice, learn more about the condition and meet other people living with diabetes.
Call their helpline on 0345 123 2399 or email them at helpline@diabetes.org.uk if you need support or just need to talk to someone who understands.
You can find more information about all types of diabetes on their website.
Published: June 2024