Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases and occurs when blood glucose levels are elevated. Around 5% of the Swiss population suffers from type 2 diabetes mellitus. ^1,2 Lack of exercise and obesity can favour the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but hereditary factors can also be responsible for the occurrence of the disease. In contrast to type 1 diabetes, insulin production is not deficient in type 2 diabetes, but the body's insensitivity to insulin means that glucose can only be processed inadequately. In addition, type 2 diabetes mellitus rarely occurs alone: people with type 2 diabeties often suffer from concomitant diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and visceral obesity. Renal dysfunction or disorders of the eye retina are also common complications associated with type 2 diabetes. The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus therefore requires a holistic approach that takes all risk factors into account and usually combines measures for a healthy diet and lifestyle with appropriate drug therapy.

¹ Federal Statistical Office, Persons with diabetes, published: 03.11.23.
² Federal Office of Public Health, Diabetes (accessed: 27.11.23).