Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a condition that involves insulin resistance and high glucose levels. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. It draws glucose, the sugar, and carbs that you get from foods, into cells for energy.

The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Blurry vision
• Skin changes or rashes
• Sores that take a long time to heal
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Fatigue
• Increased hunger

Type 2 diabetes does not happen suddenly. It slowly develops over time, sometimes years, and is usually preceded by prediabetes. If you have a routine wellness checkup or other basic lab work, a doctor could tell you that your insulin or glucose are out of range, but not high enough to indicate diabetes. This is usually referred to as prediabetes and may include metabolic syndrome.

With the right approach, type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed. In some cases, all symptoms can be reversed, although it cannot be cured.

Treatment plans involve careful monitoring and management of blood sugar levels. This usually requires daily monitoring, sometimes first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime. A medical provider will tell you how often to monitor blood glucose at home and the range you should aim to be in.

To control blood glucose, healthcare providers may prescribe medications, recommend bariatric surgery for individuals who meet the criteria, and discuss many lifestyle changes that can help control diabetes.

You can chat with one of our doctors on Cedars-Sinai Connect to learn more about managing type 2 diabetes.