Type 2 Diabetes

In Type 2 Diabetes, your body may still make insulin, but it either doesn’t make enough (insulin deficiency) or is unable to correctly use the insulin it does make (insulin resistance). Type 2 Diabetes can be treated with proper meal planning and exercise, oral medicine, and/or insulin. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and accounts for at least nine out of ten cases of Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

In its early stages, Type 2 Diabetes often has no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may come on gradually and be very subtle. They include:

• feeling tired
• numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• dry, itchy skin
• frequent infections
• increased urination
• blurred vision
• problems with sexual function
• slow healing of cuts or sores
• increased hunger and thirst

Cause of Type 2 Diabetes

No one knows the exact cause of Type 2 Diabetes. We do know that it is likely to occur in people who:

• are overweight
• have a family history of diabetes
• have had diabetes during pregnancy
• have given birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds
• have the stress of an illness or injury
• have high blood pressure
• are African American, Hispanic American, Native American

Since the tendency to develop Type 2 Diabetes may be inherited, any member of your family who has three or more of the above symptoms should be tested for diabetes. Also, regular exercise and staying lean may prevent or delay some cases of Type 2 Diabetes.

More on: Type 1 Diabetes | Hyperglycemia | Hypoglycemia |Resources