Type 2 Diabetes
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It usually affects those over 40; or 25 if you are of South Asian descent, although it is becoming more common among young people.
People with type 2 diabetes either don’t make enough insulin; or they don’t make insulin that the body can use properly.
The cells in the body become resistant to insulin, so that more insulin is needed to control blood glucose levels.
Sometimes, the pancreas wears out from producing all this extra insulin, and it may start making less insulin.
We usually manage Type 2 through healthier eating, being more active or losing weight. Some people take tablets and/or inject insulin to help manage their Type 2 diabetes.
The symptoms of T2 diabetes are the same as those for T1 but are harder to spot in T2 because they develop more slowly. Symptoms to look out for are:
- Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night
- Being really thirsty
- Feeling more tired than usual
- Losing weight without trying to
- Genital itching or thrush
- Cuts and wounds take longer to heal
- Blurred vision
Useful links
Useful information and resources
- Helpline
- Community
- Type 2 diabetes – What it is and what causes it
- I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat?
- Learning Zone – Discover more about your diabetes
- Understand your risk – Preventing type 2 diabetes
- T2Digibete
Support groups
- Diabetes UK offers useful information on childhood diabetes as well as travel information and children’s holidays