--- title: "What is Type 2 Diabetes?" description: "Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the blood sugar level (also called blood sugar level) is too high. Blood sugar is your main source of" author: "Niyati Thole" published: 2022-06-19 updated: 2022-06-20 canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300357/what-is-type-2-diabetes category: "health care" tags: ["health"] reading_time: 2 minutes --- # What is Type 2 Diabetes? ### What is diabetes? Diabetes happens when your body isn't able to take up sugar (glucose) into its cells and use it for energy. This results in a build-up of extra sugar in your bloodstream. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to serious consequences, causing damage to a wide range of your body's organs and tissues – including your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. [Diabetes](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/296555/how-to-control-diabetes-and-follow-the-few-tips) is sometimes called a 'sugar touch' or 'prediabetes'. These terms indicate that someone does not have diabetes or is less severe, but all cases of diabetes are serious. ### What is Type 2 Diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your body cannot properly use the energy it receives from food. The pancreas produces insulin (hormones) and helps cells use glucose (sugar). But over time, the pancreas produces less insulin and the cells resist it. This causes too much sugar to build up in the blood. High blood [sugar levels](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/4490/7-foods-that-help-in-managing-sugar-levels) from type 2 diabetes can cause serious [health problems](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/94718/what-health-problems-can-a-smartphone-diagnose) such as [heart disease](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/114582/heart-disease-risk-and-its-diagnosed), stroke, and death. ### Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: What's the Difference? Type 2 diabetes is not the same as type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin. In type 2, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, and the insulin produced by the pancreas does not always work normally. Both types are types of diabetes and cause hyperglycemia (hyperglycemia). Type 2 diabetes usually affects the elderly, but is more common in children. Type 1 diabetes usually affects children and young adults, but can occur in people of any age. ### Who is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes? You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if: - **Blacks,** - **Hispanics,** - **[Native Americans](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/42838/what-role-did-native-americans-play-in-the-revolutionary-war),** - **Asians or Pacific Islanders.** - **over 45 years old.** - **[Overweight or obese.](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300216/weight-a-silent-heart-risk)** - **Training I had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.** - **[history of diabetes](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/107316/can-i-get-life-insurance-if-i-have-a-history-of-diabetes) in your family** - **[high blood pressure](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300301/diagnosis-of-high-blood-pressure).** Prediabetes ([Blood sugar](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/110582/how-can-i-lower-my-blood-sugar-levels) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to cause type 2 diabetes) ### How common is type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. 1 in 10 Americans has this disease. It is the seventh leading cause of [death in the United](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/42900/what-is-the-number-one-cause-of-death-in-the-united-states-each-year) States . --- Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/blog/300357/what-is-type-2-diabetes Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.