Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. This was formely know as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. It is important to recognize that although older people are at greater risk, one can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. With type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body, as it transports glucose to the cells, and glucose serves as the basic fuel for cells. This lack of transport causes the build up of glucose in the blood. The build up of glucose in the blood can cause cells to be starved for energy and overtime high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Thus having type 2 diabetes increases your risk for health complications such as heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, kidney damage, lower-extremity amputations and gum infections (ADA, 2005). Symptoms The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 5 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes and are unaware of it, given they may not have any signs or symptoms. At times symptoms are so minor they go unnoticed. If symptoms are present they may include: Excessive thirst Increased appetite Increased urination especially at night Fatigue Blurred Vision Frequent or slow-healing infections or sores Unexplained weight loss Tingling or numbness in hands or feet Very dry skin Testing If you think you have diabetes the only way to confirm it is to be diagnosed by a physician who can conduct a blood test. If you find out early on that you have diabetes, then treatment and lifestyle changes can be implemented to prevent further damage to the body. It is recommended for those 45 years and older to be tested for diabetes. However if you present multiple risk factors or symptoms it is also reccomended that you be tested. Type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed with the following blood tests: Fasting blood glucose level Random blood glucose level (must be confirmed with a fasting blood glucose test) Oral glucose tolerance test