What Exactly Is Type 2 Diabetes?

You’ve undoubtedly heard of the condition, but can you answer this question: What is type 2 diabetes? If you’re uncertain, you’re not alone.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the United States: More than 38 million Americans have diabetes, and between 90 and 95 percent of those cases are type 2 diabetes. And yet, type 2 diabetes is largely misunderstood. The condition doesn’t develop overnight, and it’s not just about sugar or weight. Type 2 diabetes develops when your body stops using insulin properly, and over time, that can raise your blood sugar to dangerous levels. The good news: With the right tools, treatments, and lifestyle tweaks, it’s possible to manage—and even prevent—type 2 diabetes. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that happens when your body stops using insulin properly and sugar builds up in your blood. Insulin, a hormone, helps move sugar (also known as glucose) from your bloodstream into your cells, where it’s used for energy. When your body becomes resistant to insulin—or doesn’t make enough of it—glucose starts to accumulate in the bloodstream. Over time, the high blood sugar associated with type 2 diabetes can potentially damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart.

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes tend to develop gradually, so you might not notice them right away. Common symptoms can include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. If it’s not managed properly, type 2 diabetes can eventually lead to complications like heart disease, nerve damage, kidney failure, and vision loss.

Who’s at risk for developing type 2 diabetes?

Risk factors include being over age 45, having a family history of diabetes, being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure, and being physically inactive.) Certain racial and ethnic groups—including Black, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic, and Latino populations—also have a higher risk. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or a history of gestational diabetes also face elevated risk. “The risk is much closer to us than we realize,” says William Hsu, M.D., an endocrinologist, diabetes expert, and chief medical officer at L-Nutra.

What causes insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance can develop due to excess body fat—especially around the abdomen—poor diet, lack of physical activity, and genetic factors. Over time, these factors make it harder for your cells to respond to insulin, leading to chronically high blood-sugar levels.

How is type 2 diabetes diagnosed?

A health care provider can diagnose diabetes with a simple blood test. The most common tests include the A1C test, fasting-plasma glucose test, or an oral glucose-tolerance test. A result of 6.5% or higher on the A1C indicates diabetes.

How can I lower my risk of type 2 diabetes?

Having a family history of type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean you’ll inevitably get it. “It’s a two-hit theory,” Hsu says. You might have a genetic predisposition, but that alone won’t cause diabetes. In other words, lifestyle choices matter a lot. To have the biggest impact on your metabolic health and your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, focus on these changes:

Physical activity

Regular exercise is essential for blood sugar management. Take a walk after every meal, break up time spent sitting with “exercise snacks,” and focus on building and maintaining lean muscle mass.

Healthy eating

“You want to eat less processed food, more whole grains and vegetables, and lean healthy protein,” says Dr. Anne Peters, M.D., a professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. “The way you should eat for diabetes is the way all of us should be eating.”

Proactive screenings

Staying up to date with recommended screenings is one of the best ways you can prevent diabetes and spot insulin resistance before it turns into diabetes.

Hands-on management

If you’ve been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, working with your care team (which may include an endocrinologist, certified diabetes educator, and nutritionist) to utilize tools like a continuous glucose monitor, diabetes medicines like metformin, and lifestyle changes can help you manage the condition and prevent complications.