Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, the problem being that the body does not produce enough insulin, or other cells ignore the insulin you produce. Sugar is essential for the body to survive because it gives us energy. Insulin's job is to take sugar that your body needs to function and deliver it to your bodies cells. If your body's cells do not get the sugar they need to survive, sugar builds up and causes high blood glucose levels, which hurts your eyes, nerves, kidneys and/or heart. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in older people, and is more commonly found in overweight and obese individuals. However, type 2 diabetes does occur in some thin people, especially at an older age.

The causes of type 2 diabetes vary greatly. The causes can include insulin abnormalities, increased glucose production, increased fat breakdown, defective hormones, lifestyles issues (such as obesity and inactivity), and it can be hereditary in some cases.

While some people experience no symptoms at all, some of the symptoms for type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, fatigue, blurred vision, frequent or slow healing infections, and in males erectile dysfunction.

Type 2 diabetes is a very preventable disease, and you can lower your chances of getting this disease if you keep an active lifestyle, eating a healthy diet which is low in fat and processed foods, while high in raw vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Keeping your weight at a healthy level also significantly lowers your risk.

Experts now say that everyone over 45 should be tested for diabetes. Younger individuals should be tested if they have any of the following risk factors: being overweight, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, having a genetic history of diabetes, delivering a baby that weighs over 9 pounds, or having a close relative with diabetes. If you feel that you might be at risk for type 2 diabetes, visit your health care practitioner as soon as you possibly can. While being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can be very frightening, and some people would like to avoid thinking about it, the sooner you are diagnosed, the better your chances of survival are. Diabetes kills people everyday, but if you are receiving proper care and taking care of yourself, you can live a long and healthy life.