Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from the body's inability to use insulin effectively (insulin resistance) and, over time, insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. It is the most common form of diabetes, affecting approximately 37 million Americans — about 1 in 10 people — and hundreds of millions worldwide. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition typically diagnosed in childhood, Type 2 diabetes develops gradually, often over many years. In the early stages, the pancreas compensates for insulin resistance by producing more insulin. Eventually, the pancreas can no longer keep up, and blood glucose levels rise. The condition is often preceded by prediabetes — a stage where blood glucose is elevated but not yet high enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Risk factors include being overweight or obese (particularly with excess abdominal fat), physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, age over 45, a history of gestational diabetes, prediabetes, and certain ethnicities (including African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American populations). High blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are also associated risk factors. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include increased thirst and urination, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, frequent infections, and tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. Many people have no symptoms in the early stages, which is why screening is important for those at risk. Management focuses on achieving and maintaining healthy blood glucose levels to prevent long-term complications including cardiovascular disease, kidney damage (nephropathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), eye damage (retinopathy), and foot problems. Treatment includes lifestyle modifications (a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and weight loss), oral medications (such as metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists), and insulin therapy as needed. Our endocrinology team at Silvaris provides comprehensive diabetes care, including continuous glucose monitoring guidance, diabetes education, and individualized treatment plans.
