Type 2 diabetes, a form of diabetes mellitus, is likely one of the better-known chronic diseases in the world — and it makes sense that this would be the case. Data suggests in the United States alone, 37.3 million people, or 11.3 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes, and the majority of these people have type 2.

Among those individuals with diabetes, 8.5 million don't even know they have it, and an increasing number of young people are being diagnosed with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

One study revealed that an earlier diabetes diagnosis may increase the risk of health complications, including heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Whether you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or have a family history of the disease, this condition and the risk for health complications that may come with it can be scary. And with the required diet and lifestyle changes, there's no question that this diagnosis can be a challenging one to reckon with.

But living with type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be devastating. In fact, when you're educated about the disease — such as understanding how insulin resistance develops and how to mitigate it, knowing how to spot the signs of diabetes, and learning what to eat — you can tap into the resources you need to lead a happy, healthy life.

Indeed, some research suggests you may even be able to put type 2 diabetes in remission by making adjustments to your diet and lifestyle.

Among the exciting advancements is the use of the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet as a therapeutic approach to manage type 2 diabetes, one review notes.

Furthermore, there’s increasing evidence that one tactic — bariatric surgery — could reverse type 2 diabetes entirely.

In this article, delve into this information and so much more. Sit back, read on, and get ready to take charge of type 2 diabetes.

Common Questions & Answers

What does type 2 diabetes mean?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes mellitus, which is a group of diseases associated with high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance — in which the body does not use the hormone insulin properly — causes hyperglycemia.

What are the first signs of type 2 diabetes?

Often, there won't be any physical signs at all. But in some folks, seemingly unquenchable thirst, frequent urination, being really hungry even after eating, fatigue, and blurred vision are possible early warning signs of type 2 diabetes.

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 (or "juvenile") diabetes is an autoimmune condition that prevents the pancreas from producing enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Type 2, on the other hand, stems from insulin resistance, where the body may make enough insulin at first but cannot use it properly to ferry glucose to the cells. Both cause hyperglycemia.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

The short answer is scientists don't know, but they believe that multiple factors — including genetics, diet, and lifestyle habits — play a role.

Can you get rid of type 2 diabetes?

These days, there's a lot of talk about reversing diabetes. But the truth is experts haven't found a cure for the disease yet. The good news is you may be able to put type 2 diabetes in remission by following a healthy, low-carb diet; exercising; and possibly taking medication.

Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

During the early stages of the disease, type 2 diabetes often doesn’t present any symptoms at all, according to previous research.

Still, you should be aware of the symptoms and early warning signs, such as the following:

Frequent urination and extreme thirst
Sudden or unexpected weight loss
Increased hunger
Blurry vision
Dark, velvety patches of skin (called acanthosis nigricans)
Fatigue
Wounds that won’t heal

If you have one or more risk factors for type 2 diabetes and notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to call your doctor, as you may have type 2 diabetes.

Learn More About Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Causes and Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers don't know what causes type 2 diabetes, but they believe several factors are at play. Those factors include genetics and lifestyle.

At the root of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, and before you receive a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, you may be diagnosed with prediabetes.

Insulin Resistance

Type 2 diabetes is marked by high blood sugar that your body can’t bring down on its own. High blood sugar is called hyperglycemia; hypoglycemia is low blood sugar.

Insulin — the hormone that allows your body to regulate sugar in the blood — is made in your pancreas. Essentially, insulin resistance is a state in which the body’s cells do not use insulin efficiently. As a result, it takes more insulin than normal to transport blood sugar (glucose) into cells, to be used immediately for fuel or stored for later use. A drop in efficiency in getting glucose to cells creates a problem for cell function; glucose is normally the body’s quickest and most readily available source of energy.

Insulin resistance, the agency points out, doesn’t develop immediately, and often, people with the condition don’t show symptoms — which may make getting a diagnosis tougher.

As the body becomes more and more insulin resistant, the pancreas responds by releasing an increasing amount of insulin. This higher-than-normal level of insulin in the bloodstream is called hyperinsulinemia.

Prediabetes

Insulin resistance sends your pancreas into overdrive, and while it may be able to keep up with the body’s increased demand for insulin for a while, there is a limit to insulin production capacity, and eventually your blood sugars will elevate — leading to prediabetes, the precursor of type 2 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes itself.

A prediabetes diagnosis doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop type 2 diabetes. Catching the diagnosis quickly and then changing your diet and lifestyle can help prevent your health from worsening.

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are some of the most prevalent diseases in the world — altogether affecting more than 100 million Americans, according to the CDC.

Nonetheless, researchers still aren’t completely sure which genes cause insulin resistance.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

As mentioned, type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial disease. That means you can’t just stop eating sugar or start exercising to avoid developing this health condition.

Here are some of the factors that may affect your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Obesity Being obese or overweight puts you at significant risk of type 2 diabetes. Body mass index (BMI) is a way of measuring whether you are obese or overweight.

Poor eating habits Too much of the wrong kinds of foods can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that eating a diet that's high in calorie-dense processed foods and beverages, and low in whole, nutrient-rich foods, can significantly increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Foods and drinks to limit include white bread, chips, cookies, cake, soda, and fruit juice. Foods and drinks to prioritize include fruits, veggies, whole grains, water, and tea.

Too much TV time Watching too much TV (and sitting too much in general) may increase your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other ailments.

Not enough exercise Just as body fat interacts with insulin and other hormones to affect diabetes development, so does muscle.

Lean muscle mass, which can be increased through cardiovascular exercise and strength training, plays a role in protecting the body against insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Sleep habits Sleep disturbances can affect the body’s balance of insulin and blood sugar by increasing the demand on the pancreas.

Over time, this can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) By some estimates, a woman diagnosed with PCOS — a hormone imbalance disorder — has a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than her peers without PCOS.

Insulin resistance and obesity are common denominators of these health conditions.

Being over age 45 The older you get, the more likely you are to develop type 2 diabetes.

But in recent years, an increasing number of children and teens have been diagnosed with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Is Type 2 Diabetes Genetic?

Independent of diet and lifestyle factors, your genetics can affect your risk of type 2 diabetes, too.

Research on twins backs this up.

Twins who are identical are more likely to both have diabetes compared with twins who are fraternal. And having a relative with diabetes may put you at a fourfold risk of developing the disease yourself.

Your ethnicity or race may affect your risk of type 2 diabetes, too, research suggests. Data included in this paper suggests African Americans, Hispanic or Latino Americans, and certain Native American groups have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes than white people.

How Is Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed?

A prompt diagnosis is crucial to successfully treat type 2 diabetes. The ADA has advised screenings for the disease every three years if you’re age 45 or older and overweight.

To screen you for type 2 diabetes, your doctor may administer one of the following tests.

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test A1C is a two- to three-month measurement of your average blood sugar levels. While an A1C of 5.7 or below is normal, anything between 5.7 and 6.4 percent signals prediabetes and a reading of 6.5 percent or higher on two different tests suggests you have diabetes.

Fasting glucose test This test involves giving a blood sample after you have fasted for eight hours.

If you have a fasting blood sugar level of less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), your blood sugar levels are normal. But if you have one from 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have prediabetes, and if you have 126 mg/dL on two separate occasions, you have diabetes.

A1C and fasting glucose are common tests used to diagnose diabetes, but if you’re pregnant or have a hemoglobin variant, your doctor may use another method, such as:

Oral glucose tolerance test
Random blood sugar test

Prognosis of Type 2 Diabetes

The prognosis of diabetes depends on several factors, including duration of disease, state of disease, and genetic factors. If you have had poorly controlled diabetes for a longer time, the greater your risk for complications such as heart disease and neuropathy.

Unfortunately, people with diabetes tend to have shorter life spans than people without this health condition.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that much of the past research preceded advanced treatment available today.

Don’t lose hope, though. You don’t have to be a statistic. Receiving a prompt diagnosis can help you get your health on track and reduce your risk of complications.

Indeed, if you take care to manage your blood sugar by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, taking your prescribed medication, and losing weight, you may find your quality of life to be better with diabetes than it was before your diagnosis.

Duration of Type 2 Diabetes

Although changes to your diet and lifestyle, and oral and injectable medication (such as insulin) can help manage type 2 diabetes, the disease's underlying predisposition for insulin resistance cannot be cured.

One way to bring blood sugar levels down is by losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight. In the national Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), participants who did just that and exercised for at least 150 minutes weekly cut their risk of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.

Following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and shedding extra pounds can improve your management of type 2 diabetes.

With time, you may require additional treatments and, with poor blood sugar control, potentially insulin to better manage your blood sugar.

Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia

If you have type 2 diabetes, you’re at risk of high blood sugar and low blood sugar. Preventing these episodes requires knowing the signs, causes, and treatment options to get your blood sugar back in a healthy range.

Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)

Between meals, the concentration of blood sugar for people without diabetes ranges from about 70 to 100 mg/dL. After meals it may reach 120 to 130 mg/dL but rarely goes higher than 140 mg/dL.

But if you have type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels can go much higher — to 200, 300, or even 400 mg/dL and beyond — and will go much higher unless you take the necessary steps to bring them down.

High blood sugar doesn't always produce symptoms, so it's important to check your blood sugar regularly, as indicated by your doctor.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) symptoms include:

Frequent urination
Extreme thirst
Feeling tired and weak
Blurry vision
Feeling hungry, even after eating

If you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you can work with your doctor to devise a treatment plan to keep it as close to a healthy range as possible.

Even after you start treatment, you may still develop hyperglycemia at times.

Some of the reasons blood sugar may go too high include:

Missing prescribed medicines or taking medication at the wrong times or in the wrong amounts
Eating large portions, especially of foods with more carbs than intended or expected
Not getting enough sleep
Experiencing emotional stress
Doing intense exercise
Having an illness or infection

Learn More About Hyperglycemia

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Although low blood sugar is more common in people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes can also develop this condition, especially if they are using insulin.

For people with diabetes, low blood sugar is considered a drop in blood sugar below 70 mg/dL.

Low blood sugar can happen if:

Your body's supply of glucose is used up too quickly.
Glucose is released into your bloodstream too slowly.
There's too much insulin in your bloodstream.

Although no two people will have the exact same symptoms of low blood sugar, there are some common signs to watch out for:

Sudden, intense hunger
Dizziness or light-headedness
Excessive sweating (often sudden and without regard to temperature)
Shaking or tremors
Sudden feelings of anxiety
Irritability, mood swings, and sudden emotional outbursts that aren't part of your normal behavior
Confusion or inability to concentrate
Weakness or drowsiness
Blurry vision
Slurred speech
Sleep disturbances, including night sweats, nightmares, waking suddenly and crying out, or feelings of confusion upon waking
If hypoglycemia isn't treated right away, low blood sugar may result in life-threatening complications, such as seizure or coma, or even death.

People with diabetes may become hypoglycemic when they:

Take their insulin or oral diabetes medication but then skip a meal, delay eating, or eat very little
Develop it as a side effect of other diabetes medication
Exercise strenuously without adequate food intake
Drink too much alcohol

If you have type 2 diabetes, you've probably had a conversation with your doctor about how to treat yourself for low blood sugar.

If you feel your blood sugar dropping, check your blood sugar to be sure that your symptoms are related to hypoglycemia and not something else, such as stress. Next, quickly consume 15 to 20 grams (g) of simple carbohydrates.

Recheck your blood glucose level after 15 minutes. If it's still low, eat another 15 to 20 g of simple carbohydrates.

Good sources of simple carbohydrates, which are digested and absorbed quickly, to treat hypoglycemia include:

Glucose tablets
Glucose gel
Juice or regular soda (not diet)
Sugar, honey, or corn syrup
Raisins
Hard candies, jelly beans, or gumdrops

Family members, coworkers, and other people you're in close contact with should be taught how to administer a glucagon injection in case you have a severe hypoglycemic event and can't do it yourself. There are now also options for a prefilled syringe (Gvoke)

and intranasal glucagon (Baqsimi).

Learn More About Hypoglycemia

Treatment and Medication Options for Type 2 Diabetes

If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you have various treatment options at your disposal.

Medication Options

For example, you may be prescribed the oral medication metformin (Glucophage), which can help lower your blood sugar levels.

While metformin is the first-line medication for individuals with type 2 diabetes, it’s not the only diabetes medication at your disposal.

Others include:

Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides This type of drug works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors These drugs can help slow digestion of certain carbs to prevent blood sugar spikes after you eat.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) This group of drugs helps increase insulin sensitivity, in turn stabilizing your blood sugar levels.

GLP-1 Agonists This class of medication increases insulin secretion in response to glucose and slows glucose from being absorbed in the gut.

GLP-1 Receptor and GIP Agonists Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is the first drug in this class to be commercially available. It activates the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, leading to improved blood sugar control and weight loss, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

DPP-4 Inhibitors These drugs block the action of an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and thus prevent the body from breaking down GLP1, a hormone that increases insulin secretion in response to a glucose and slows glucose absorption from the gut.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors These relatively new drugs facilitate the release of glucose through the urine by slowing the kidney's reabsorption of glucose.

Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches

Apart from these conventional medication treatment options, effective diabetes management means taking a well-rounded approach: You’ll need to eat well, exercise, manage stress, and sleep enough, because all these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Certain complementary approaches may help support your conventional diabetes care, including certain botanical therapies, supplements, traditional Chinese medicine, mind-body therapies, and special diets like keto, research shows.

Consult your doctor if you're interested in one of these options, especially if you're on medication or insulin.

Self-Care

Staying healthy with diabetes also requires caring for yourself — such as by protecting your feet, practicing oral hygiene, and tending to your mental health. Diabetes may double your risk of depression, and yet healthcare providers commonly miss this diagnosis in individuals.

Peer support is one effective way to manage your mental health, as well as your overall health, with type 2 diabetes.

Insulin Options for Type 2 Diabetes

If you’re unable to control your blood sugar with oral or noninsulin injectable medication, diet, and lifestyle, you may need to add basal or bolus insulin to your treatment regimen.

Here's how they differ.

Basal insulin This type of insulin helps control your blood sugar when you’re between meals or at night when you’re asleep.

Bolus insulin This type of insulin is fast- or rapid-acting. You typically take it prior to a meal.

Bariatric Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes

Bariatric surgery is another treatment option if you’re managing type 2 diabetes.

Although it comes with some risks, it may reverse type 2 diabetes in some individuals.

Learn More About Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes: Medication, Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Surgery Options, and More

Type 2 Diabetes Diet: What Can You Eat?

When you have diabetes, it’s important to avoid eating many packaged, processed snacks, such as cookies, chips, cake, granola bars, and the like, in lieu of fresh, whole foods, like fiber-rich fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

Foods high in fiber can help keep blood sugar levels steady and fill you up, potentially promoting weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity.

Monitoring your caloric intake may be helpful if you’re overweight, but everyone with type 2 diabetes should track how many carbs they’re taking in. That can be tricky because carbs are in many of the common foods you may already eat, but there are both good and bad sources of carbs. Fruits and vegetables, for example, are good sources, while pretzels and cookies are bad sources.

When you eat is just as important as what you eat when managing diabetes. Sticking to regular mealtimes can help keep your blood sugar steady.

Also, know that being diagnosed with diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t eat the foods you love. A diabetes diet is essentially a healthy diet for everyone! You can work with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to come up with a personalized meal plan, and be sure to track your blood sugar if you introduce new foods to your diet.

While there’s no such thing as a “diabetes diet,” food choices can play a key role in your blood sugar control.

If you’re interested in a specific diet plan, consider working with an RDN and certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) who can help you navigate the landscape.

The Mediterranean diet, which focuses on eating fish, olive oil, fruits, veggies, and whole grains, has potential for helping manage type 2 diabetes.

Low-carb diets also abound, which may also help people with type 2 diabetes because carb counting can be an effective tool for managing blood sugar.

Learn More About What to Eat and Avoid if You Have Type 2 Diabetes

Keto Diet for Type 2 Diabetes: Does It Work?

One of the most common ways people with type 2 diabetes attempt to lower their blood sugar is by drastically reducing their intake of carbs. Indeed, carb counting is essential if you have diabetes, but extreme diets, like the ketogenic diet, which reduces carb intake to as little as 5 percent of your daily calories, can be risky for some people with this condition.

The keto diet calls for dramatically increasing your fat intake and consuming a moderate amount of protein and a very low amount of carbs, with the aim of kicking your body into a natural metabolic state called ketosis, in which it relies on burning fat rather than carbs for energy. Ketosis is different from diabetic ketoacidosis, a health emergency that occurs when insulin levels are low in conjunction with high levels of ketones.

Ketones are by-products of metabolism that are released in the blood when carb intake is low.

While a past review suggested the ketogenic diet may result in quick weight loss and potentially even help put diabetes in remission,

another study pointed out that it’s important to work with your doctor to make sure your nutritional needs are being met.

This conversation is especially important if you’re on diabetes medication. While short-term studies have shown benefit to glycemic control, weight reduction, and medication reduction while on the keto diet, long-term data is still lacking.

Some risks of the keto diet include low blood sugar, negative medication interactions, and nutrient deficiencies. People who should avoid the keto diet include those with kidney damage or disease, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those with or at a heightened risk for heart disease due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or family history.

Learn More About Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Learn More About the Ketogenic Diet for Type 2 Diabetes

Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes

There's no surefire way to prevent type 2 diabetes, but maintaining a healthy weight, following a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can help fend off the health condition. Reducing risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure can also play a role in type 2 diabetes prevention.

Complications of Type 2 Diabetes

If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may have anxiety or concerns about the prospect of future health complications, such as amputations, heart disease, and vision loss. But living with this disease doesn’t destine you for these unpleasant outcomes.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Complications

Long-term complications of type 2 diabetes can be prevented and, in some cases, reversed or slowed by a combination of:

Blood sugar control
Blood pressure control
Blood cholesterol control

You should discuss your level of control (and how to maintain or improve it) with your doctor at every doctor’s appointment.

If you have been living with diabetes for several years or are older, knowing your A1C goal and levels is particularly important, because you are at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes complications.

Health Problems Linked to Type 2 Diabetes

If your blood sugar is frequently imbalanced, you may be at a greater risk for the following type 2 diabetes complications.

Cardiovascular disease Compared with people without diabetes, people with diabetes are at a greater risk for heart disease, statistically get heart disease at a younger age, and have more severe forms of heart disease.

People with diabetes are also about twice as likely as people without diabetes to die of heart disease.

Lowering your risk for heart disease — or treating it, if you have it — involves a combination of lifestyle changes and may or may not include medication.

Diabetic retinopathy In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar weakens the capillaries (the tiny blood vessels) that supply the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye.

The capillaries then swell, become blocked, or leak blood into the center of the eye, blurring vision. In advanced stages, abnormal new blood vessels grow.

When these new vessels leak blood, the result can be severe vision loss or blindness.

Diabetic neuropathy Neuropathy, or nerve damage, can affect any nerve in your body. Most commonly, it affects the nerves in the feet, legs, hands, and arms; this condition is called peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy can cause tingling, burning, pain, or numbness in the affected areas.

The pain of peripheral neuropathy is difficult to control, though some find topical products that contain capsaicin to be helpful.

Prescription products that may help alleviate the pain caused by peripheral neuropathy include a variety of antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) In diabetic nephropathy, the nephrons (or filtering units) in the kidneys become damaged from chronic high blood sugar.

High blood pressure compounds the problem, and high cholesterol appears to contribute to it as well.

In the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, you may not notice any symptoms, but standard blood and urine tests can detect early signs of dysfunction, and early treatment can stop or slow its progression.

As many as 25 percent of people with diabetes may develop kidney disease.

Diabetic ulcer People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing foot ulcers (open sores).

A diabetic ulcer is often painless, and people may not even know they have them at first.

These foot ulcers can take several weeks to heal, and are a primary reason for hospital stays among people with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, examining your feet and legs regularly is key. This way, you can better identify diabetic ulcers and if needed get prompt treatment.

If you have diabetes, you may also deal with sexual issues, gum disease, sleep apnea, and red or brown lesions (diabetic dermopathy).

Learn More About the Most Common Diabetes Complications and How to Prevent Them

Research and Statistics: Who Has Type 2 Diabetes?

As mentioned, nearly 30.3 million people have diabetes, and the majority are living with type 2 diabetes.

Worldwide, in 2014, an estimated 422 million people had diabetes.

Being overweight or having obesity are risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and so is ethnicity. For most groups of people, having a BMI of 25 or over is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but having a BMI of 23 or higher is a risk factor for Asian Americans, and having a BMI of 26 or greater is a risk for Pacific Islanders.

Learn More About Research and Statistics on Type 2 Diabetes

BIPOC and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately impacts people from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. These individuals are at a higher risk for developing this disease than white people.

Diabetes Prevalence

One report found that Black people had the highest rate of diabetes by ethnicity, at 16.4 percent, followed by Asian people (14.9 percent), Hispanic people (14.7 percent), and white people (11.9 percent).

Hispanic, Black, Asian American or Pacific Islander, and Native American youths are also more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than their white counterparts.

Complications of Diabetes

Individuals in BIPOC communities are also more likely to experience complications of this disease, and these complications are more likely to lead to worse health outcomes.

For example, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans may experience nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and other microvascular complications at higher rates than white Americans. But these groups have a have a lower risk for developing cardiovascular complications of diabetes compared with white Americans, research shows.

Black Americans are over twice as likely as white Americans to experience a lower limb amputation due to complications of diabetes; they are over 3 times as likely to develop end-stage renal disease; and they are over 3 times as likely to be admitted to hospital due to diabetes.

African American people were at a higher risk of developing end-stage renal disease, while white Americans had a higher risk of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke related to diabetes.

Death Rates

Moreover, the death rate for diabetes-related complications was over twice as high for non-Hispanic Black Americans as it was for non-Hispanic white Americans, according to a study.

Of the Black, white, Hispanic, and Asian American participants in that data, only white Americans experienced a decrease in diabetes-related mortality over the duration of the study (from 1993 to 2001).

Possible Driving Factors Behind Health Disparities

There are a number of potential causes for these disparities in diabetes outcomes, including lack of access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and cultural attitudes.

Economic inequality and segregation may also account for higher diabetes mortality rates for Black Americans in U.S. cities.

Differences in socioeconomic status across different races or ethnicities likely account for some — but not all — of these disparities, research suggests.

Issues of healthcare cost and access may also prove an obstacle to effective diabetes management for BIPOC communities. African Americans and Hispanic Americans are less likely to have health insurance coverage than white Americans.

When they do, Black and Hispanic Americans are less likely to have access to private health insurance, and are more likely to depend on public health insurance (which may carry higher out-of-pocket expenses) than white Americans.

Individuals in BIPOC communities may also receive lower-quality diabetes care than white people. They may be less likely to receive diabetes screening, according to an article;

or less likely to be prescribed insulin or other drugs for diabetes management, per a separate analysis.

These factors can further disparities in the rate of diabetic complications.

Related Conditions and Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

While the cause of type 2 diabetes is multifactorial, meaning there’s no single cause, certain conditions exist in conjunction with this condition.

Conditions related to type 2 diabetes include:

Obesity
Heart disease
Peripheral vascular disease
Stroke
Neuropathy
Nephropathy
Retinopathy
Glaucoma
Cataracts

The good news is that tight blood sugar control, by way of diet, exercise, and medication, can prevent these comorbidities.

Support from peers can also help, potentially reducing hospitalization and rates of depression.

Tips for Aging Well With Type 2 Diabetes

Unfortunately, aging itself is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, so the longer you live with diabetes, the more likely you’ll develop health complications.

Following tips like these can help you stay healthy and keep your blood sugar controlled.

Lean on your medical team, which may consist of an endocrinologist, a podiatrist, an RDN and a CDCES, and other specialty health professionals such as a therapist for mental healthcare. In many cases, your primary care physician will be your main healthcare provider for diabetes care.
Stick to your medication regimen, and be open to potential medication adjustments.
Take insulin if your doctor says you need it.
Don’t smoke, or quit the habit.
Eat diabetes-friendly foods and practice portion control.
Exercise regularly.
Regularly check your blood sugar.

Resources We Love

Favorite Orgs for Essential Diabetes Info

American Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) Meeting

Everyday Health editors attend the ADCES annual meeting to connect with certified diabetes care and education specialists, registered dietitian nutritionists, and people like you, who are looking for ways to better manage blood sugar, diet, medication, and more. Check out information on the next meeting here.

American Diabetes Association (ADA)

The ADA is considered the leading nonprofit for type 1 and type 2 diabetes education. The ADA's free yearlong program Living With Diabetes offers top-of-the-line resources for anyone new to living with diabetes. You’ll get access to their newsletter, expert Q&A session, and online support system, among other perks.

American Heart Association (AHA)

One of our favorite features from the AHA is a go-to resource for preventing heart disease: Know Diabetes by Heart. The ADA-supported initiative lays out a step-by-step guide for keeping your heart healthy while living with diabetes.

Favorite Alternative Medicine Resource

Cleveland Clinic Functional Ketogenics Program

Want to give the ketogenic (“keto”) diet a whirl to better manage diabetes? This pioneering program from the Cleveland Clinic offers a way to do just that, with trained counselors who can help you adjust your diet and medication along the way.

Favorite Online Support Networks

Diabetes Daily

Enter this website, and you’ll immediately feel less alone in your diabetes journey. They’ve got loads of inspiring patient stories in addition to their forum, which helps you connect with others managing diabetes.

DiabetesSisters

These sisters truly have your back when it comes to using insulin at the dinner table, making your emotional health a priority, and all the other stuff you don’t know how to bring up with your diabetes care team. They rotate bloggers on a three- to six-month basis to share their diabetes journeys in their own words. And don’t let the site name fool you: “Diabetes Misters” are welcome too.

For more of our favorite diabetes blogs, check out our list.

Favorite Site for Diabetes Products

Diabetes Forecast Consumer Guide

The FOMO on diabetes products ends now. This feature by the magazine and website Diabetes Forecast rounds up the best of the best in CGMs (continuous glucose monitors), glucagon kits, insulin pens, and more.

Favorite Resource for Diet Advice

Joslin Diabetes Center

Giving up some of the foods you once loved is arguably the biggest bummer about receiving a diabetes diagnosis. But with this Harvard-affiliated organization’s expert diet guidance, you don’t have to.

For more on "bad" foods you can eat in a diabetes diet, check out our article "5 'Bad' Diabetes Foods You Can Enjoy in Moderation."

Favorite Resource for Becoming an Advocate

International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

Want to get involved? The IDF, which reaches 168 countries, makes it easy with their advocacy network page. You’ll find different organizations that you can work with to help propel diabetes research, legislation, and awareness.

Favorite App

mySugr

If you’re looking to home in on your A1C goal, this app’s for you. It lets you analyze dips and rises in your blood sugar, offers education about blood sugar management, allows you to work with a CDE virtually, and even links data from certain diabetes devices.

For more of our favorite diabetes apps, check out our list.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

National Diabetes Statistics Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 18, 2022.
Huo L, Magliano DJ, Rancière F, et al. Impact of Age at Diagnosis and Duration of Type 2 Diabetes on Mortality in Australia 1997–2011. Diabetologia. May 2018.
Kmietowicz Z. GP Based Weight Loss Programme Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes. BMJ. December 5, 2017.
Westman EC, Tondt J, Maguire E, et al. Implementing a Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet to Manage Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism. September 2018.
Screening for Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. January 2004.
Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. January 9, 2019.
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What Is Type 2 Diabetes? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention