Do I Have Type 2 Diabetes?

Are you over 40?

Do you have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)?

Are you overweight or physically inactive?

Do you feel increased thirst?

Do you have frequent urination (particularly at night)?

Have you lost weight without trying to?

Do you have extreme fatigue and weakness?

Do you have blurred vision?

Do you have cuts or bruises that heal slowly?

Do you have frequent yeast infections (itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush)?

Do you have dark rashes around your neck or armpits?

Do you have tingling, pain, or numbness in your hands or feet?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a long-term medical condition in which the body does not use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and it is necessary for the transfer of sugar into the cells. The cells use sugar (glucose) as their main source of energy. When the cells do not respond normally to insulin (insulin resistance), type 2 diabetes develops. It is the most common type of diabetes, affecting about 29 million Americans. It is known as adult-onset diabetes, but it can also affect children and teenagers, mainly due to childhood obesity.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels due to the inadequate use of a hormone called insulin. People with this condition have so-called insulin resistance, which means that their body produces sufficient amounts of insulin, but the cells cannot use it in the right way. Type 2 diabetes mainly occurs in obese people, those who are not physically active, as well as in people who have a family history of diabetes. Symptoms usually appear gradually over the years and diabetes can often go unnoticed for a long time.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease in which your cells become insensitive (resistant) to insulin, a hormone needed for the proper sugar metabolism, which results in high blood sugar levels. Routine screenings for type 2 diabetes are recommended for people aged 45 and older, especially if they are overweight. A diagnosis is based on blood tests. Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition that can be managed with healthy eating and being active, weight loss, diabetes medications or insulin therapy. You will also need to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.