• age - people over the age of 45 are at higher risk
• family history of diabetes
• being overweight
• not exercising regularly
• being a member of certain racial and ethnic groups, such as African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans
• history of gestational diabetes, or giving birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
• a low level HDL (high density lipoprotein -- the "good cholesterol")
• a high triglyceride level

The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown. However, there does appear to be a genetic factor which causes it to run in families. And, although a person can inherit a tendency to develop type 2 diabetes, it usually takes another factor, such as obesity, to bring on the disease.

Type 2 diabetes may be prevented or delayed by following a program to eliminate or reduce risk factors -- particularly losing weight and increasing exercise. Information gathered by the Diabetes Prevention Program, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association, continues to study this possibility.

Diabetes may have a variety of signs and symptoms, including:

• frequent infections that are not easily healed
• frequent urination
• extreme hunger but loss of weight
• unusual thirst
• blurred vision
• extreme weakness and tiredness
• irritability and mood changes
• nausea and vomiting
• high levels of sugar in the blood when tested
• high levels of sugar in the urine when tested
• dry, itchy skin
• tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet

Some people who have type 2 diabetes exhibit no symptoms. Symptoms may be mild and almost unnoticeable, or easy to confuse with signs of aging. Half of all Americans who have diabetes do not know it.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Specific treatment will be determined by your physician(s) based on

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

The goal of treatment is to keep blood-sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Emphasis is on control of blood sugar (glucose) by monitoring the levels, regular physical activity, meal planning, and routine health care. Treatment of diabetes is an ongoing process of management and education that includes not only the person with diabetes, but also health care professionals and family members.

Often type 2 diabetes can be controlled through losing weight, improved nutrition, and exercise alone, but sometimes these are not enough and either oral medications and/or insulin must be used. Treatment often includes

• proper diet
• weight control
• an appropriate exercise program
• proper hygiene
• in some cases, insulin replacement therapy (under the direction of a physician)

Untreated or inappropriately-treated diabetes can cause problems with the kidneys, legs, feet, eyes, heart, nerves, and blood flow, which could lead to kidney failure, gangrene, amputation, blindness, or stroke. For these reasons, it is important to be on a strict treatment plan.

• Of the nearly 16 million Americans with diabetes, 90-95 percent (15.3 million) has type 2 diabetes. Of these, half are unaware they have the disease.
• People with type 2 diabetes often develop the disease after age 45, but are not aware they have diabetes until severe symptoms occur, or they are treated for one of its serious complications.
• The risk for type 2 diabetes increases with age. Nearly 18.4 percent of the United States population between 65 and 74 years of age has diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent among these populations:
• African-Americans
• Hispanic Americans
• Native Americans
• Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle