What is Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. People that have type 2 diabetes have what we call insulin resistance, which means that it takes more insulin to control their blood sugar. People who have type 2 diabetes also do not make enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with diet, exercise, pills, insulin shots, or a combination of all these things.

Type 2 diabetes runs in some families and if you have a family member that has type 2 diabetes, you’re between 5 and 10 times as likely to develop diabetes as a person who doesn’t have a family history of diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is also more common among, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans, but people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds can get type 2 diabetes. Losing weight and regular exercise can help control your blood sugar when you have type 2 diabetes.