Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body's inability to use insulin properly or produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose (sugar) from food enter the cells to be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, either the cells become resistant to insulin (insulin resistance), or the pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin to overcome this resistance, leading to elevated blood glucose levels
. This condition used to be called adult-onset diabetes because it was more common in older adults, but it is increasingly seen in younger people, including children, especially with rising obesity rates
. Symptoms often develop slowly and may include increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
. Type 2 diabetes can cause serious long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, diabetic retinopathy (which can lead to blindness), and poor circulation that may result in amputations
. While there is no cure, type 2 diabetes can be managed through lifestyle changes like healthy eating, weight loss, and regular exercise, along with medications or insulin therapy if needed
. Risk factors include being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, age over 45, certain ethnic backgrounds, and other health conditions like high blood pressure or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
. In summary, type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder involving insulin resistance and/or insufficient insulin production, leading to high blood sugar and associated health risks, manageable through lifestyle and medical interventions
