Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects how the body handles glucose. It can damage blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, and eyes over time if it is not treated well. According to the CDC, 40.1 million people in the United States had diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes in 2023.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision, slow healing, and recurrent infections. Some people have no symptoms at diagnosis.
Causes and risk
Risk rises with excess weight, family history, prediabetes, inactivity, gestational diabetes history, and metabolic syndrome.
How it is evaluated
We review symptoms, A1c or glucose results, blood pressure, weight, kidney health, and medication history. We also talk about food patterns, activity, and sleep.
Treatment
Treatment often includes nutrition changes, exercise, weight management, glucose-lowering medicine, and routine follow-up. We also screen for kidney, eye, foot, and cardiovascular complications.