Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes: Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, typically affecting over-40's adults, whereas Type 1 diabetes is the insulin-requiring juvenile form. In many cases, when people say "diabetes", it refers to Type 2 diabetes. Although insulin may be needed in later stages, it is usually treated by diet-only or by diabetes medications in the early years after diagnosis.

Because Type 2 diabetes starts out with only mild symptoms, it is one of the most common under-diagnosed diseases, with millions of Americans unaware that they have it (or the earlier phase called IGT). This is unfortunate, because diabetes causes significant damage to the body and leads to various complications, even in the period prior to diagnosis.

Diagnosis must separate diabetes from other causes of mild symptoms, but this is easily done using the tests for diabetes. Type 2 diabetes must be distinguished from other types of diabetes including Type 1 diabetes, MODY, and IGT. In some cases, an underlying condition such as metabolic syndrome, hemochromatosis or cystic fibrosis may be the actual base illness.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes

• No early symptoms - many people have Type 2 diabetes without knowing it
• Early mild symptoms - from moderate blood sugars (which are still dangerous and lead to serious complications):
  • Skin rashes
  • Skin infections
  • Athlete's foot
• more symptoms...»

See full list of 63 symptoms of Type 2 diabetes

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Type 2 diabetes:

• High Cholesterol: Home Testing:
  • Home Cholesterol Tests
  • Home Triglycerides Tests
  • Home Blood Pressure Test Devices
• High Blood Pressure: Home Testing
  • Home Blood Pressure Hypertension Tests
  • Home Blood Pressure Monitors
  • Home Heart Tests
• Heart Health: Home Testing:
  • Heart Rate Monitors
  • Irregular Heartbeat Detection
  • Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Home Blood Pressure Testing
  • Home Cholesterol Testing
• Thyroid: Home Testing:
  • Home Thyroid Function Testing
  • Home TSH Tests
  • Home Adrenal Function Tests
• Menopause: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Menopause Tests
  • Home FSH Hormone Tests
  • Home Osteoporosis Testing
• Vaginal Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Vaginal Infection Tests
  • Home Vaginal PH Tests
  • Home Yeast Infection Tests
  • Home Candida Kits
  • Home Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Test Kits
  • Home Bladder Test Kits
• Diet & Weight Loss: Home Testing:
  • Home Weight Testing
  • Home Body Fat Testing (BMI)
  • Home Body Fat Monitoring
  • Home Fitness Testing
• Adrenal Gland Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Adrenal Function Testing
  • Home Thyroid Function Tests
• Breast Cancer: Related Home Tests:
  • Home Breast Cancer Test Kits
  • Home Breast Lump Detection
• Kidney Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Kidney Testing
  • Home Microalbumin Tests (Kidney)
  • Home Urine Protein Tests (Kidney)
  • Home Urinary Tract Infection Test Kits
• Diabetes: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Diabetes Testing
  • Home Blood Glucose Test Kits
  • Home Urine Glucose Tests
  • Home Urine Ketone Tests
  • Home Diabetes HbA1c Tests
  • Home Microalbumin Tests (Kidney)
  • Home Urine Protein Tests (Kidney)
  • Home Kidney Health Tests
  • Home Eye Health Tests
• more tests...»

Type 2 diabetes: Complications

Review possible medical complications related to Type 2 diabetes:

• Short-term complications
  • Hypoglycemia - does not occur from diabetes itself but from the treatments for diabetes (pills or insulin).
  • Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS) - a dangerous syndrome from high blood sugars; typically in Type 2 diabetics at diagnosis or non-compliant to treatment.
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) - a dangerous condition due to high blood sugars; typically in Type 1 diabetics at diagnosis or non-compliant to treatment.
  • Diabetic lens - vision distortions from high blood sugars; usually reverses when sugars controlled.
  • Hyperinsulemia - insulin in the blood rises due to insulin resistance.
• Kidney complications (see Kidney symptoms)
• more complications...»

Medical Textbooks Online about Type 2 diabetes

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Type 2 diabetes

• Urine sugar test
• Blood glucose test
• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG)
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
• See also tests for diabetes
• more tests...»

Read more about tests for Type 2 diabetes

Wrongly Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes?

• Misdiagnosis of Type 2 diabetes
• Failure to diagnose Type 2 diabetes
• Hidden causes of Type 2 diabetes (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
• Undiagnosed: Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes: Self Assessment Tools

• Heart Attack -- Self Assessment Tools
• Stress -- Self Assessment Tools
• Exercise -- Self Assessment Tools
• Smoking -- Self Assessment Tools
• Weight Management -- Self Assessment Tools
• Heart Disease -- Self Assessment Tools
• Fertility -- Self Assessment Tools
• more tools...»

Type 2 diabetes: Medical Mistakes

• Obesity -- Health Mistakes
• Diabetes -- Health Mistakes
• Hypertension -- Health Mistakes
• Cholesterol -- Health Mistakes
• Metabolic Syndrome -- Health Mistakes
• Women's Health Mistakes:
  • Womens Health -- Health Mistakes
  • Contraception -- Health Mistakes
  • Fertility -- Health Mistakes
• more mistakes...»

Type 2 diabetes: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Type 2 diabetes:

• Diabetes products & offers »
• Dieting & Weight management: products & offers »
• Heart health products & offers »
• Mom & Baby
• Pregnancy
• Womens Health
• High cholesterol
• more product offers...»

Type 2 diabetes: Undiagnosed Conditions

Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:

• Chronic Major Diseases that are commonly Undiagnosed:
  • High Cholesterol -- Undiagnosed
  • Heart Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Depression -- Undiagnosed
  • Type 2 Diabetes -- Undiagnosed
  • Type 1 Diabetes -- Undiagnosed
  • Hypertension -- Undiagnosed
  • Hemochromatosis -- Undiagnosed
  • Metabolic Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

In-Depth Reports: Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis

Diabetes diagnosis and misdiagnosis (In-Depth Report): Detailed report on diabetes misdiagnoses, rare curable types, and less common diagnostic issues....read full report »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Type 2 diabetes

Misdiagnosis and Type 2 diabetes

Metabolic syndrome often undiagnosed: Metabolic syndrome, also known as Syndrome X, is an often overlooked medical condition that causes a cluster of chronic symptoms. There are often four symptoms and conditions...read more »

Heart attacks can be undiagnosed: Although the most severe symptoms of heart attack are hard to miss, there are varying degrees of severity. It is altogether too common for people to die from...read more »

Heart attacks can be overdiagnosed: Although many people die from heart attacks, there are also many cases where people fear that they have a heart attack, but actually have...read more »

Undiagnosed causes of weight gain and obesity: Although obesity may be related to lifestyle issues, there are also a number of medical causes of weight gain...read more »

Rare undiagnosed iron disorder causes various severe conditions: The rare "iron overload" disorder, hemochromatosis, can cause a variety of symptoms and result in various severe conditions that mimic several of the big name medical...read more »

Cluster of diseases with difficult diagnosis issues: There is a well-known list of medical conditions that are all somewhat difficult to...read more »

Rare type of breast cancer without a lump: There is a less common form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer. Its symptoms can be an inflammation of the breast tissue, such as with a breast rash with...read more »

Poorly healing leg rashes a classic sign of chronic disease: Recurring leg rashes, or poorly healing leg rashes, are a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes, particularly of Type 2 diabetes, but also Type 1 diabetes. They can...read more »

Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes. However, there are also various other causes. See causes of leg cramps or ...read more »

Over-diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in obese patients: A diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension, is often a misdiagnosis in...read more »

Obesity-related conditions undiagnosed in children: A variety of conditions are associated with obesity (see obesity), but these tend to be undiagnosed more often in child patients than in adults. Some of the...read more »

Misdiagnosed weight-related causes of infertility: A woman's weight status can affect her level of fertility. Although obesity or overweight...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research related physicians and medical specialists:

• Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists:
  • Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
  • Pediatric Endocrinology (Child Hormones)
• Cholesterol Specialists:
  • Clinical Lipidology (Cholesterol/Triglycerides)
• Cardiac (Heart) Specialists:
  • Cardiology (Heart specialists)
  • Pediatric Cardiology (Child Heart Specialists)
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
• Pregnancy & Fertility Health Specialists:
  • Maternal & Fetal Medicine
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
• Womens Health Specialists:
  • Gynecological Oncology
• more specialists...»

Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:

• Rate Your Doctor Online
• Research Your Doctor Online
• Review Patient Surveys About Your Doctor
• Research local specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Hospitals & Clinics: Type 2 diabetes

Research quality ratings and patient safety measures for medical facilities in specialties related to Type 2 diabetes:

• Heart Health (Cardiac Care) -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• Womens Health -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more hospital ratings...»

Hospital & Clinic quality ratings » »

Choosing the Best Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Type 2 diabetes, on hospital performance and surgical care quality:

• 50 Best Hospitals Report
• Outstanding Patient Experinece Award Winning Hospitals
• Women's Health Best Hospitals
• Patient Safety
• Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence Study (2009)

Type 2 diabetes: Rare Types

Rare types of diseases and disorders in related medical categories:

• Chronic Major Diseases -- Rare Types:
  • High Cholesterol -- Rare Types
  • Heart Disease -- Rare Types
  • Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Depression -- Rare Types
  • Type 2 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Type 1 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Hypertension -- Rare Types
  • Hemochromatosis -- Rare Types
  • Metabolic Syndrome -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Causes of Type 2 diabetes

• Metabolic syndrome - a syndrome with 4 key features (diabetes, hypertension, obesity/overweight, and high cholesterol).
• Hemochromatosis - iron overload causes pancreas damage that can mimic Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
• Chronic pancreatitis - pancreas damage that can mimic diabetes.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - ovary cysts inhibit natural female hormones causing insulin resistance
• Cystic fibrosis
• more causes...»

See full list of 9 causes of Type 2 diabetes

More information about causes of Type 2 diabetes:

• Underlying causes of Type 2 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes as a complication caused by other conditions
• Type 2 diabetes as a symptom
• Medical news summaries relating to Causes of Type 2 diabetes

Treatments for Type 2 diabetes

• Weight loss
• Exercise
• Diet changes
• Home blood glucose testing
• Oral medication
• more treatments...»

See full list of 9 treatments for Type 2 diabetes

News Archives for Type 2 diabetes

Medical news articles related to Type 2 diabetes include:

• Exercise Protects Black Women From Type 2 Diabetes
• Doctors Urged to Look for Link Between Type 2 Diabetes, Sleep Apnea
• Gum Care Helps Control Type 2 Diabetes and Its Complications
• Cycloset Approved for Type 2 Diabetes
• Saliva Test Could Monitor Type 2 Diabetes
• America Losing the Fight With Type 2 Diabetes
• Genetic Testing No Real Help in Predicting Type 2 Diabetes
• Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Updated
• more health news...»

Source: HealthDay News

Evidence Based Medicine Research for Type 2 diabetes

Medical research articles related to Type 2 diabetes include:

• Comparison of insulin analogue regimens in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the PREFER Study: a randomized controlled trial
• Narrative review: effect of bariatric surgery on type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Comparison of prognosis for men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and men with cardiovascular disease
• Individual patient education for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Voglibose for prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomised, double-blind trial in Japanese individuals with impaired glucose tolerance.
• Hypoglycemic episodes and risk of dementia in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Exenatide once-weekly Type 2 diabetes mellitus second/third line
• more research...»

Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database

Videos for Type 2 diabetes

Patient Surveys for Type 2 diabetes

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about the symptoms of your Type 2 diabetes
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Reseach about Type 2 diabetes

Visit our research pages for current research about Type 2 diabetes treatments.

Prevention of Type 2 diabetes

Prevention information for Type 2 diabetes has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Type 2 diabetes.

• Control weight
• Exercise
• Physical activity
• Healthy diet
• more preventions...»

Read more about prevention of Type 2 diabetes

Statistics for Type 2 diabetes

• Medical statistics for Type 2 diabetes
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Type 2 diabetes
• Death and Mortality statistics for Type 2 diabetes
• Society statistics for Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes: Broader Related Topics

• Diabetes
• Pancreas conditions
• Under-diagnosed conditions
• more types...»

Types of Type 2 diabetes

Rare Types of Type 2 diabetes:

Rare types of Type 2 diabetes include:

• MODY diabetes
• Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults
• Hemochromatosis-related diabetes
• more types...»

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Type 2 diabetes, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Overview: NIDDK (Excerpt)

The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2, and one-third of them have not been diagnosed. This form of diabetes usually develops in adults age 40 and older and is most common in adults over age 55. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Type 2 diabetes is often part of a metabolic syndrome that includes obesity, elevated blood pressure, and high levels of blood lipids. Unfortunately, as more children become overweight, type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in young people. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes Overview: NIDDK)

Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age--even during childhood. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin and the fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use it properly. Being overweight and inactive can increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Treatment includes taking diabetes medicines, making wise food choices, exercising regularly, taking aspirin daily, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol. (Source: excerpt from Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: NIDDK)

Definitions of Type 2 diabetes:

A subclass of DIABETES MELLITUS that is not INSULIN-responsive or dependent (NIDDM). It is characterized initially by INSULIN RESISTANCE and HYPERINSULINEMIA; and eventually by GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE; HYPERGLYCEMIA; and overt diabetes. Type II diabetes mellitus is no longer considered a disease exclusively found in adults. Patients seldom develop KETOSIS but often exhibit OBESITY. - (Source - Diseases Database)

Mild form of diabetes mellitus that develops gradually in adults; can be precipitated by obesity or severe stress or menopause or other factors; can usually be controlled by diet and hypoglycemic agents without injections of insulin - (Source - WordNet 2.1)