NIH Type 2 Diabetes Fact Sheet

Type 2 diabetes, also sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic condition that usually starts as insulin resistance or the body being unable to properly process insulin secreted by the pancreas resulting in high blood glucose levels. The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that there are approximately 6 million people in the United States who are unaware that they have type 2 diabetes.

At Risk

• Anyone who has a parent or sibling with diabetes, is overweight, over 45 years old and does not exercise consistently is at highest risk of developing 2 diabetes.

Symptoms

• Not everyone with type 2 diabetes will be symptomatic. Those who are may experience excessive thirst, increased hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent infections or sores that are slow to heal.

Testing

• Doctors use both fasting blood glucose level and oral glucose tolerance tests to diagnose type 2 diabetes. Ongoing blood glucose level testing should be done at home using a blood glucose meter.

Treatment

• Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes a diet low in carbohydrates and sugar, strict exercise regimen and oral medication or injected insulin.

Prevention

• Keeping a body mass index of less than 25 and exercising at minimum of three times per week will help to prevent type 2 diabetes from developing in both adults and children.