Type 2 Diabetes

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is type 2 diabetes? " пїЅ Type 2 diabetes (sometimes called type 2 "diabetes mellitus " пїЅ) is a disorder that disrupts the way your body uses sugar. пїЅ пїЅ

All the cells in your body need sugar to work normally. Sugar gets into the cells with the help of a hormone called insulin. If there is not enough insulin, or if the body stops responding to insulin, sugar builds up in the blood. That is what happens to people with diabetes. пїЅ пїЅ

There are 2 different types of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the problem is that the body makes little or no insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the problem is that: пїЅ пїЅ

The bodys cells do not respond to insulin
The body does not make enough insulin
Or both

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes? " пїЅ Type 2 diabetes usually causes no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they include: пїЅ пїЅ

The need to urinate often
Intense thirst
Blurry vision

If type 2 diabetes rarely causes symptoms, why should I care about it? " пїЅ Even though type 2 diabetes might not make you feel sick, it can cause serious problems over time, if it is not treated. The disorder can lead to: пїЅ пїЅ

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

How do I know if I have type 2 diabetes? " пїЅ To find out if you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor or nurse can do a blood test to measure the amount of sugar in your blood. пїЅ пїЅ

How is type 2 diabetes treated? " пїЅ There are a few medicines that help control blood sugar. Some people need to take pills that help the body make more insulin or that help insulin do its job. Others need insulin shots. пїЅ пїЅ

Sometimes, people with type 2 diabetes also need medicines to reduce the problems caused by the disease. For instance, medicines used to lower blood pressure can reduce the chances of a heart attack or stroke. пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines are not the only tool to manage diabetes. Being active, losing weight, eating right, and not smoking can all help people with diabetes stay as healthy as possible. пїЅ пїЅ

Can type 2 diabetes be prevented? " пїЅ Yes, it can. To reduce your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, the most important thing you can do is control your weight. If you already have the disorder, losing weight can improve your health and blood sugar control. Being active can also help prevent or control the disorder. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15402 Version 7.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Type 2 Diabetes

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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