What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively — a state known as insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose (sugar) from the blood for energy. Without it working properly, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, slowly damaging blood vessels and nerves.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is autoimmune and usually appears in childhood, type 2 diabetes typically develops in adulthood and is closely linked to lifestyle and genetics.
Why it matters in Cyprus
Cyprus, like much of the Mediterranean basin, has seen diabetes prevalence rise sharply over the last twenty years. National surveys estimate that around 10–11% of adults in Cyprus live with type 2 diabetes, and many more remain undiagnosed.
The shift away from a traditional plant- and fish-based Mediterranean diet, combined with longer working hours and less physical activity, has driven much of this rise.
Symptoms — often subtle
Early type 2 diabetes can develop with no symptoms at all. When they appear, they include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Persistent fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts and frequent infections
- Tingling or numbness in feet
- Unexplained weight loss in advanced stages
Because symptoms are quiet, many people are diagnosed only after a routine blood test or after a complication has appeared.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis relies on three tests, any one of which can confirm:
- Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL
- HbA1c (3-month average) ≥ 6.5%
- Oral glucose tolerance test ≥ 200 mg/dL at 2 hours
A reading of HbA1c between 5.7% and 6.4% is called prediabetes — a critical window when the disease is still reversible.
What helps
The single most effective intervention is sustained lifestyle change:
- Lose 5–10% of body weight if overweight
- Eat a high-fibre, plant-rich diet — return to traditional Mediterranean staples
- Move daily — even brisk walking lowers blood sugar
- Sleep well and manage stress
- Stop smoking; limit alcohol
When needed, medications — starting with metformin, and now including newer agents such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors — control blood sugar and protect the heart and kidneys.
Long-term risks
Untreated, type 2 diabetes leads to:
- Cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Diabetic kidney disease
- Diabetic retinopathy and blindness
- Nerve damage and foot ulcers, sometimes leading to amputation
The good news: tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol dramatically reduces every one of these risks.
Who to see
A general practitioner can diagnose, monitor and treat most cases. An endocrinologist is appropriate for complex or unstable disease, or when newer therapies need careful selection. A dietitian and a podiatrist round out the long-term team.