Type 2 Diabetes: Understand it. Prevent it. Take control.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health problem that causes the body to have trouble using sugar for energy. Normally, a hormone called insulin—which helps move sugar from the blood into the body’s cells—is needed. But with type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it well. So sugar stays in the blood. Over time, too much sugar can hurt the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.

Basic Facts

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or none at all. This causes blood sugar levels to rise.

Type 2 Diabetes usually develops in adults, but is increasing in young people due to rising obesity rates.

Common Signs of Diabetes

• Feeling very thirsty all the time
• Going to the bathroom a lot to pee
• Feeling really hungry, even after eating
• Feeling tired or weak more than usual
• Blurry vision, like things look fuzzy
• Losing weight without trying
• Dark patches on the skin, especially around the neck or armpits
• Getting sick more often, like infections or slow-healing cuts
• Mood changes, like feeling grumpy or upset more than usual

Treatment:

Treating diabetes means helping your body keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range. Here are some ways doctors help kids and adults manage it: Healthy eating, regular exercise, medication (some people need medicine or insulin to help control their blood sugar), checking blood sugar, doctor’s visits.

Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes:

Being overweight, not getting enough exercise, eating a lot of junk food, family history, smoking.

Asian Americans are more likely to develop diabetes if the mom had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes), being born early or low birth weight insulin resistance.

Ask your provider for an A1C test!

Contact Us

Email: info@hbi-dc.org

Phone: (202) 220-8583

Website: hbi-dc.org

Sources: cdc.gov, Clevelandclinic.org, Mayoclinic.org, Yalemedicine.org