Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes represents more than 90% of all cases of diabetes.¹ In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas may not make enough insulin or the body isn't able to use the insulin it does make. This is known as insulin resistance. Eventually, the pancreas may stop producing insulin altogether.²

People with type 2 diabetes often have other risk factors or characteristics:

• family history of diabetes
  
  
• previous history of gestational diabetes²
• obesity

•  members of certain ethnic groups: African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Pacific Islanders and Pima Indians³

Traditionally affecting older people, type 2 diabetes was previously known as adult-onset diabetes. We now know that it can affect people at any age.

Because type 2 diabetes comes on slowly over time, many people aren't diagnosed until complications appear. In fact, the American Diabetes Association estimates that one-third of all people with diabetes may be undiagnosed.⁴

Depending upon its severity, type 2 diabetes can be managed in a variety of ways:

• diet and exercise alone
• oral medications that help the body use insulin better, increase insulin production or reduce the release of sugar into the bloodstream

•  insulin injections

Oral medications and insulin are generally used as part of a personalized program that includes a healthy meal plan, regular physical activity, a weight-loss program and frequent blood sugar testing to monitor the success of a person's self-care.⁴ If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to your healthcare team to make sure you're making the most of all the strategies available to you.

¹ Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "National Diabetes Fact Sheet: General Information and National Estimates on Diabetes in the United States, 2005."
² National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). "Diabetes Overview."
³ American Diabetes Association. "The Genetics of Diabetes."
⁴ American Diabetes Association. "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2006." Diabetes Care 29 (2006): S4-S42.

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