THE RISING PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, COMPLICATIONS, PREVENTION, AND CONTEMPORARY MANAGEMENT APPROACHES

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has become one of the most significant public health challenges worldwide. Characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, T2DM affects millions of individuals and contributes substantially to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. The increasing prevalence of obesity, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits, and population aging has accelerated the global burden of this disease. Beyond disturbances in glucose metabolism, T2DM is associated with serious microvascular and macrovascular complications that significantly impair quality of life. This article examines the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying T2DM, discusses its major complications, explores preventive strategies, and reviews contemporary approaches to disease management.