Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects the way your
body uses food for energy. The disease develops when the cells of the body
become resistant to insulin or when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin,
which causes high blood sugar.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your body's cells get needed energy
from sugar. When insulin is not able to do its job, too much sugar builds up in
your blood. Over time, this extra sugar in your blood can lead to problems with
your eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys.
Common symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent
urination, increased hunger, unusual weight loss, and extreme fatigue. But in
type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels rise so slowly that a person usually does
not have symptoms and may have the disease for many years before being
diagnosed with it.
Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. People who develop
type 2 diabetes often are overweight and not physically active. It is most
common in people who are older than 40 but is becoming more common in children.
Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes, or
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or at least delayed if a person
maintains a healthy body weight and exercises regularly. Treatment focuses on
keeping blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure at safe levels. A balanced
diet and regular exercise are effective for many people, but some may need one
or more medicines, including insulin, to help control blood sugar
levels.
