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- Type of diabetes
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- I do not have diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called adult-onset or non insulin-dependent diabetes, results when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use insulin properly (a condition called insulin resistance). This is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90%-95% of all cases. It usually occurs in people who are over 40, overweight, and have a family history of the disease although it is also becoming more common in younger people, particularly adolescents.
Research indicates that type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Many risk factors make people more likely to develop the disease including obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and physical inactivity. Type 2 diabetes is more common among Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders. Also, people who develop diabetes while pregnant (a condition called gestational diabetes) are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life, as are people with prediabetes or the metabolic syndrome – two diseases that are closely related to type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes Research
People who live with type 2 diabetes must monitor their blood glucose and be sure to keep it in a healthy range through a combination of diet and physical activity. Their doctors may prescribe medications to decrease insulin resistance and although their bodies can still produce some insulin, they may also need to take an additional dosage. In any case, keeping blood glucose as close to normal as possible is very important because poor glucose control is associated with an increased risk of serious complications including damage to blood vessels (vascular complications) which may lead to eye, heart and kidney disease.
Type 2 Diabetes Research Focuses on Four Main Areas:
Prediction and prevention of the disease through lifestyle modification and medications – especially because it may develop very slowly over time;
Research indicates that type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Many risk factors make people more likely to develop the disease including obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and physical inactivity. Type 2 diabetes is more common among Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders. Also, people who develop diabetes while pregnant (a condition called gestational diabetes) are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life, as are people with prediabetes or the metabolic syndrome – two diseases that are closely related to type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes Research
People who live with type 2 diabetes must monitor their blood glucose and be sure to keep it in a healthy range through a combination of diet and physical activity. Their doctors may prescribe medications to decrease insulin resistance and although their bodies can still produce some insulin, they may also need to take an additional dosage. In any case, keeping blood glucose as close to normal as possible is very important because poor glucose control is associated with an increased risk of serious complications including damage to blood vessels (vascular complications) which may lead to eye, heart and kidney disease.
Type 2 Diabetes Research Focuses on Four Main Areas:
Prediction and prevention of the disease through lifestyle modification and medications – especially because it may develop very slowly over time;
- Education and health service programs that ensure patients know everything they need to do to manage the disease;
- New technology and medications to combat insulin resistance and help patients regulate blood glucose, evaluated through clinical trials;
- Prevention and reversal of diabetes complications through eye, kidney and vascular cell biology research.
- Who is at risk for type 2 diabetes and what are the first signs of the disease?
- Is there a way to reverse insulin resistance and restore insulin sensitivity?
- What physical differences exist between people with type 2 diabetes and those without? Why does it tend to run in families?
- What new technologies make diabetes management easier for patients?
- How do diabetes complications develop and how might they be prevented through medication, education or health services?
