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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Type 2 diabetes, 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.

There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, 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.

Symptoms
References
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  2. Your guide to diabetes: Type 1 and type 2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/index.htm. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  3. The dangerous toll of diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/dangerous-toll.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  4. Jeerakathil T, et al. Short-term risk for stroke is doubled in persons with newly treated type 2 diabetes compared with persons without diabetes. Stroke. 2007;38:1739.
  5. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: 2009. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/123565990943909Heart%20and%20Stroke%20Update.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  6. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2009. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/vol31/Supplement_1/. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  7. What people with diabetes need to know about osteoporosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  8. Xu WL, et al. Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease: A population-based cohort study. Diabetologia. In Press. Accessed April 7, 2009.
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  11. Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Rockville, Md.: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;148:846.
  12. Estimated average glucose, eAG. American Diabetes Association. http://professional.diabetes.org/GlucoseCalculator.aspx. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
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  14. Diabetes and women's sexual health. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/women-sexual-health.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  15. Denkins DJ, et al. Effect of a low glycemic index or a high cereal fiber diet on type 2 diabetes: A randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:2742.
  16. Sigal RJ, et al. Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007;147:357.
  17. About omnipod. Omnipod.com. http://www.myomnipod.com/products/. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  18. High blood sugar: Definition, symptoms. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=EC92D98E-1321-C844-13EB771367A49526. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  19. What is hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome? American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/treatment-conditions/hhns.jsp. Accessed April 7, 2009.
  20. Smoking. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/smoking.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  21. Anderson RA. Chromium and polyphenols from cinnamon improve insulin sensitivity. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2008;67:48.
  22. Baker WL. Effect of cinnamon on glucose control and lipid parameters. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:41.
  23. International Expert Committee. International Expert Committee report on the role of the A1C assay in the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:1.

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June 13, 2009

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