Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a term for several disorders with different causes and degrees of severity. It is the most common type of diabetes.

Often, people with type 2 diabetes can still make their own insulin in the pancreas, but the insulin that is produced is not used as effectively by the body.

Many people manage type 2 diabetes simply by following a healthy diet and regular exercise. In overweight individuals, type 2 diabetes often improves as a result of weight loss, a healthy diet and exercise.

Watch the video to learn more about type 2 diabetes.

With the progression of the disease, some people may have to take oral medication(s) or insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes.

Although the cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown, there are some risk factors that can predispose some people to this condition.

Risk factors of type 2 diabetes include:

  • Age (being over 45 years old)
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having a family history of diabetes
  • Ethnic background or race (Native/Indigenous, African, Hispanic or Asian descent)
  • Having given birth to a large baby (over 4 kg or 9 lbs)
  • Impaired glucose tolerance

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are the same as type 1 diabetes. Some people may also experience slow healing cuts and bruises, recurring gum or bladder infections, or tingling in their hands or feet.

Other terms previously used for type 2 diabetes are adult-onset diabetes and Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM).

  •  
  •