Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a disorder that disrupts the way the body uses sugar (glucose). All of the cells in the body use sugar. Sugar gets into the cells with the help of a hormone called insulin. In T2DM, the body does not use glucose properly. Being overweight increases a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes usually causes no symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they include:

Needing to urinate often
Intense hunger and thirst
Blurry vision

T2DM increases the risk of many other conditions:

Heart attacks
Strokes
Kidney disease
Vision problems (or even blindness)
Pain or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
Needing to have fingers, toes, or other body parts removed (amputated)

How do I know if I have type 2 diabetes?

Your provider can check for diabetes with blood tests.

How is type 2 diabetes treated?

Lifestyle changes – This includes eating healthy foods, physical activity and weight loss.
Medicines – Most patients with T2DM require at least one medication to control their glucose.
General medical care – It's also important to take care of other areas of your health. This includes watching your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also requires keeping up to date on vaccinations.

Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

To lower your chances of getting T2DM the most important thing you can do is eat a healthy diet and get plenty of physical activity. This can help you lose weight if you are overweight. But eating well and being active are also good for your overall health. Even gentle activity, like walking, has benefits.

If you smoke, quitting can also lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but your provider can help.

For more information visit The American Diabetes Association