Diabetes type 2

Diabetes type 2, type 2 diabetes ore diabetes mellitus type 2, once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's main source of fuel.

When you have type 2 diabetes, your body is resistant to the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — or your body doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. Untreated, the consequences of type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening.

WHAT IS DIABETES TYPE 2?
Diabetes Type 2 is a disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.

WHAT CAUSES DIABETES TYPE 2?
Diabetes Type 2 is caused by a complicated interplay of genes, environment, insulin abnormalities (reduced insulin secretion in the beta cells and insulin resistance in muscle cells), increased glucose production in the liver, increased fat breakdown, and possibly defective hormonal secretions in the intestine.

The dramatic increase in diabetes 2 indicates that lifestyle factors (obesity and sedentary lifestyle) may be particularly strong in releasing the genetic elements that cause this type of Diabetes.

There's no cure for diabetes type 2, but you can manage — or even prevent — the condition. Start by eating healthy foods, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough, you may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy to manage your blood sugar.

WHO GETS DIABETES TYPE 2?
Diabetes Type 2 mainly occurs with people aged over 40. The 'first-line' treatment of Diabetes 2 is diet, weight control and physical activity. If the blood glucose level remains high despite these measures, then tablets to reduce the blood glucose level are usually advised. Insulin injections are needed in some cases. Other treatments of diabetes 2 include reducing blood pressure if it is high, and other measures to reduce the risk of complications.

A major 2000 US study reported that the prevalence of diabetes type 2 increased by one-third between 1990 and 1998 and the higest increase was among young adults in their 30s. Diabetes 2 typically has developed after the age of 40. In 1999 alone diabetes type 2 rose by 6% overall with an increase of 10% in African Americans. Data indicate that African Americans and Hispanic Americans are particularly susceptible to developing diabetes type 2.