Well, this type is a condition that, along with type 1 diabetes, falls under the umbrella of a type of diabetes called diabetes mellitus.
Although it is being seen in younger people more often in recent years, this type of diabetes generally develops later on in life, in people over the age of 40.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes there is, with it accounting for between 85 and 95 per cent of all patients with diabetes.
There is an organ within the body called the pancreas.
The role of the pancreas is to produce certain hormones to be used throughout the body.
One of the hormones that is produced by the pancreas is called insulin.
Insulin is used to allow glucose in the blood to be absorbed in to the cells of the body so that it can then be used as fuel.
Insulin is produced by alpha cells, also known as islet cells.
When these cells are damaged or destroyed then insulin can not be produced, so glucose cannot be absorbed into the body.
This causes the glucose to build up in the blood stream.
In the case of type 2 diabetes the body still produces insulin but not enough, or the insulin that it does produce does not working properly.
So what is type 2 being caused by? What is the cause of this cell damage? Well this differs from type 1 diabetes, as the chances of getting type 2 can be reduced by living a healthier lifestyle.
Being overweight, and a lack of exercise contribute greatly towards the risks of getting diabetes type 2.
Also having high blood pressure or having had a stroke or heart attack at some point can be detrimental.
Other risks are if you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia, or having severe mental health problems.
For women there are additional risks of getting type 2.
If you have had gestational diabetes, or are overweight and have polycystic ovary syndrome then you have a greater chance of getting type 2 diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetes type 2 tend to develop over a long time, slowly over several years, and as such, are not as obvious as type 1.
However the symptoms are the same.
These include being very thirsty, losing weight and muscle mass unexpectedly, being very tired, the requirement to urinate more frequently than usual, frequent itching at the genitals or thrush, and blurred vision.
If urgent medical attention is required, what is diabetes type 2 serious symptoms that something is wrong? These again are the same as type 1 diabetes.
Stomach pain, a high temperature, feeling sick or being sick, a loss of appetite, or smelling a strange fruity smell on your breath are all indicators that you need medical aid.
Just like type 1 diabetes there is no actual cure for dependent diabetes.
However, because this is a milder form of diabetes, it can be more easily controlled.
The first treatment would be to ensure that a healthy lifestyle is adopted.
Weight control, dieting if required, and physical exercise are all beneficial in trying to keep a balanced glucose level in the blood.
If this is not enough though then there are oral medications available.
In some cases however the glucose levels can still be too high, in which case insulin injections may be required.
Although it is being seen in younger people more often in recent years, this type of diabetes generally develops later on in life, in people over the age of 40.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes there is, with it accounting for between 85 and 95 per cent of all patients with diabetes.
There is an organ within the body called the pancreas.
The role of the pancreas is to produce certain hormones to be used throughout the body.
One of the hormones that is produced by the pancreas is called insulin.
Insulin is used to allow glucose in the blood to be absorbed in to the cells of the body so that it can then be used as fuel.
Insulin is produced by alpha cells, also known as islet cells.
When these cells are damaged or destroyed then insulin can not be produced, so glucose cannot be absorbed into the body.
This causes the glucose to build up in the blood stream.
In the case of type 2 diabetes the body still produces insulin but not enough, or the insulin that it does produce does not working properly.
So what is type 2 being caused by? What is the cause of this cell damage? Well this differs from type 1 diabetes, as the chances of getting type 2 can be reduced by living a healthier lifestyle.
Being overweight, and a lack of exercise contribute greatly towards the risks of getting diabetes type 2.
Also having high blood pressure or having had a stroke or heart attack at some point can be detrimental.
Other risks are if you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia, or having severe mental health problems.
For women there are additional risks of getting type 2.
If you have had gestational diabetes, or are overweight and have polycystic ovary syndrome then you have a greater chance of getting type 2 diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetes type 2 tend to develop over a long time, slowly over several years, and as such, are not as obvious as type 1.
However the symptoms are the same.
These include being very thirsty, losing weight and muscle mass unexpectedly, being very tired, the requirement to urinate more frequently than usual, frequent itching at the genitals or thrush, and blurred vision.
If urgent medical attention is required, what is diabetes type 2 serious symptoms that something is wrong? These again are the same as type 1 diabetes.
Stomach pain, a high temperature, feeling sick or being sick, a loss of appetite, or smelling a strange fruity smell on your breath are all indicators that you need medical aid.
Just like type 1 diabetes there is no actual cure for dependent diabetes.
However, because this is a milder form of diabetes, it can be more easily controlled.
The first treatment would be to ensure that a healthy lifestyle is adopted.
Weight control, dieting if required, and physical exercise are all beneficial in trying to keep a balanced glucose level in the blood.
If this is not enough though then there are oral medications available.
In some cases however the glucose levels can still be too high, in which case insulin injections may be required.