Final answer:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, often associated with chronic inflammation and genetic predisposition. Cells in the body become less responsive to insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels. Environmental and lifestyle factors also contribute to the progression and manifestation of the disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often described as a multifactorial disorder where insulin resistance and impaired insulin production play pivotal roles in the development of the disease. It is characterized by defective insulin receptors on cells, which lead to inadequate glucose uptake and utilization, causing high blood sugar levels. Environmental and genetic factors can also influence the progression of T2DM by contributing to both insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.
The progression to insulin resistance is marked by the body's cells becoming less responsive to insulin, eventually leading to an imbalance in glucose homeostasis. This resistance is typically exacerbated by a secondary decrease in insulin secretion by the pancreatic betta cells. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, T2DM involves a combination of resistance to the actions of insulin and an eventual decline in insulin production.
Chronic inflammation has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance and is now considered by many as an underlying cause of the autoimmune aspect of T2DM. This inflammation is due in part to various factors, including obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic predisposition. We also see a dysfunctional production and secretion of insulin, contributing to the sustained high glucose levels seen in individuals with T2DM.