Type 2 diabetes

Description

A long-term condition in which the body has trouble controlling blood sugar and using it for energy.

Overview

With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lets sugar into cells to fuel muscles and other tissues. With this disease, cells also respond poorly to insulin and take in less sugar. It's not clear exactly what causes type 2 diabetes. But risk factors include being overweight and not active.

Symptoms

Type 2 diabetes symptoms often start slowly. They can include greater thirst and hunger, frequent peeing, and weight loss that happens without trying. The disease also can cause tiredness, blurry vision, sores that heal slowly, frequent infections, tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet, and areas of darkened skin in the armpits and neck.

Treatments

Treatment for type 2 diabetes helps prevent other medical problems. Lifestyle changes are key. Eat nutritious foods, get regular exercise and lose extra weight. Check blood sugar levels as often as a health care provider recommends. Some people with type 2 diabetes also need medicine to help control their blood sugar.