Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body isn't able to control blood sugar levels the right way. This can lead to your blood sugar getting too high or too low.
Blood sugar comes from the food you eat. Your body uses a hormone called insulin made by your pancreas to get the sugar to your body’s cells.
For people with type 2 diabetes, insulin isn’t used the right way by the body. This is called insulin resistance. That means that the insulin can't deliver sugar like it's supposed to, so sugar builds up in your blood. Having high blood sugar is bad for your body. It can damage your pancreas so that it can't make insulin the way it should. That means that on top of the insulin resistance, your body doesn't make enough insulin, which makes it even harder for your body to deal with sugar.
Diabetes is a serious condition. Untreated diabetes can harm your heart, kidneys, eyes, circulation, and nervous system. It can lead to problems like blindness and lower leg amputation. Diabetes also raises your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Thankfully diabetes is treatable. It can be treated with lifestyle changes and medicines. If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor about what treatment option is right for you.
When you have diabetes, your body can't deal with sugar with ease