Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is also referred to as adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes. It is considered a chronic condition but can easily be controlled in most people by controlling your diet and only using medication when absolutely necessary.

Much like Type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin to control the levels of blood sugar in a person bloodstream.

With Type 1 diabetes there is no known cause, however with Type 2 there are certain risk factors that are thought to be the main cause behind the onset.

These factors include inactivity, obesity and race as more Hispanics, American Indians and Asian Americans seem to be affected than any other race. Another factor is age as more people over the age of 45 develop diabetes type 2. The reason why age is thought to be a risk factor as after this age people tend to exercise less, lose muscle tone and gain to much weight.

There are many complications associated with Type 2 diabetes many of which can become disabling or possibly life threatening, especially if you do not seek proper medical advice and treatment. Diabetes can affect all of your organs if you do not take the proper steps to control it. People who have diabetes are at very high risk for developing heart and coronary artery disease as well as other blood vessel and artery problems such as narrowing of the arteries.

One of the more common problems that many diabetics encounter is nerve damage in their feet which is caused by poor blood flow. Issues that can also arise from this poor blood flow are infections caused by blisters and cuts that are not treated promptly. These infections can lead to gangrene setting in and the person having to have a toe, a foot or a leg amputated to stop the spread.  Often diabetics suffer from vision problems as diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. This can lead to cataracts, glaucoma and even blindness.