Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It also is known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The National Institutes of Health reports 90 to 95 percent of the people diagnosed with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.
In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but not enough or the body cannot use it effectively. This type of diabetes usually develops in people over the age of 40. It is most common in adults over 55 and 80 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight.
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes typically develop gradually over a long period and may not be as noticeable as symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. In some cases, individuals with Type 2 diabetes don’t even realize they have the disease. Symptoms of Type 2 include: extreme fatigue or feeling ill, frequent urination, increased thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, increased infections and the slow healing of wounds.
Management of Type 2 diabetes can take various forms depending on the individual and the severity of the disease. Some people need insulin injections. Others can use pills called “oral agents” that help their bodies produce or use insulin more effectively. And yet other people can manage their Type 2 diabetes with changes in diet, exercise and weight loss.
