More than 34 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Another 88 million people have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar is elevated but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is often preventable and treatable.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body’s main source of fuel. With type 2 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or your cells become resistant to insulin.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. It’s characterized by high levels of blood sugar, glucose, and insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells to be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, either your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t effectively use the insulin it does produce. This causes glucose to build up in your blood instead of being used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90% of all cases. It usually develops slowly over time and can often go undetected for years. Type 2 diabetes typically affects adults over the age of 40, but it’s becoming more common in younger adults and children as obesity rates rise.
Type 2 Diabetes: The Basics
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar.
When someone has type 2 diabetes, their body either can’t make enough insulin or their cells are resistant to the insulin. This causes their blood sugar to rise, which can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and usually develops in adulthood. However, it is becoming more common in children and adolescents as obesity rates have increased.
There are many risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including family history, age, diet, race, and inactivity. Having prediabetes also increases your risk.
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to many health problems. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be controlled and even reversed with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly.
The most common symptom of type 2 diabetes is high blood sugar levels. Other symptoms include:
– feeling very thirsty
– needing to urinate often
– feeling very tired
– weight loss
– blurred vision
– slow healing of cuts and bruises
– frequent skin, gum, or bladder infections
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so you can get treatment.

Type 2 Diabetes Causes
Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease that has multiple causes. While certain genetic factors may predispose someone to develop type 2 diabetes, the disease usually only occurs when these genetic factors are combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Some of the most common lifestyle risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure, and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Other risk factors include eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates, having poor sleeping habits, and suffering from stress.
While there is no single cause of type 2 diabetes, making healthy lifestyle choices can help to lower your risk of developing the disease. Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise can all help to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including being overweight, having a family history of the disease, and being over the age of 40. Being overweight is the most significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and people who are obese are more than twice as likely to develop the disease as those who are at a healthy weight. Having a family history of type 2 diabetes also makes you more likely to develop the disease, and if you have a parent or sibling with the condition, your risk increases even further. Finally, being over the age of 40 puts you at greater risk for type 2 diabetes, as the condition is most common in middle-aged and older adults.
Complications
Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. Left untreated, diabetes can be fatal. People with type 2 diabetes are also at increased risk for developing certain types of cancer. The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medication. By maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly, people with type 2 diabetes can lower their risk of complications.
Prevention
Preventing type 2 diabetes is possible through weight loss, exercise, and a healthy diet. These lifestyle changes can help keep blood sugar levels in check and prevent the health complications associated with diabetes.
Exercise is a key part of preventing type 2 diabetes. It helps to improve insulin sensitivity and promotes weight loss. A healthy diet is also important for preventing diabetes. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help control blood sugar levels and prevent obesity.
Conclusion
When it comes to type 2 diabetes, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease that requires a comprehensive treatment plan.
The most important thing you can do is work with your healthcare team to create a treatment plan that works for you.