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Twenty million Americans (7% of the U.S. population) have this common type of diabetes

	This chronic condition can lead to serious health complications. Turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to learn more about how the right diet, exercise and medications can help you manage this disease and stay healthy.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to find out the types of medication and behavioral regimens that rate best for treating type 2 diabetes.

Consumer Reports Health has brought together the best research about type 2 diabetes and weighed the evidence about how to treat it. You can use our information to talk with your doctor and decide which treatments are best for you.

Key points about about type 2 diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes usually occurs when you’re over 40 years old, and it comes on gradually.
• Type 2 diabetes happens when you have too much glucose in your blood. Glucose is a sugar produced by the liver and it is the body’s main source of energy.
• Normally, the amount of glucose in your blood is controlled by insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas. When you have type 2 diabetes, either you do not produce enough insulin or your body does not process insulin the right way.
• About one-third of people with diabetes don’t know they have it, so it is important to have your blood glucose level checked by a doctor regularly.
• When you do have symptoms of type 2 diabetes, initially the symptoms may include being excessively thirsty, having to urinate frequently, feeling hungry or tired or losing weight.
• Type 2 diabetes that is left untreated for a long time can damage your blood vessels, and can cause serious problems with your eyes, kidneys, heart and circulation.
• Risk factors for diabetes include having someone in your family who has it (a genetic link), being obese or getting little exercise or both, being of a certain ethnic background, and if you’re a woman, having had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant.
• While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, the best way to manage it is to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible through a combination of diet, exercise and medications (either pills or injections).

Because diabetes puts you at greater risk for heart, circulation, kidney and eye problems, it is important to have a check-up with your doctor at least once a year. The doctor should check your blood glucose level, cholesterol level, blood pressure and vision, among other things. You can live a long and healthy life if you carefully manage your blood glucose level and see your doctor regularly.

We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about type 2 diabetes. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable when talking to your doctor about type 2 diabetes.