Type 2 diabetes happens when your body still makes insulin but doesn’t use it well, or doesn’t make enough insulin to work effectively. This leads to higher blood sugar levels over time. It’s the most common type of diabetes. 

Type 2 diabetes, or T2D, usually develops during adulthood, but teens can get it, too.

The good news: You can manage it with treatment, including healthy eating, exercise, blood sugar monitoring and medication when needed.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:

• Blurry vision
• Feeling very thirsty
• Feeling very hungry
• Being extremely tired
• Getting lots of infections
• Needing to urinate often
• Having a lot of itching or yeast infections
• Dark patches on your skin
• Cuts and wounds that heal slowly

Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have T2D. But if you have them, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can order simple blood tests to find out if your symptoms are from diabetes.

Certain behaviors, genetics and risk factors can increase your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. These include:

• Being overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Family and personal medical history: If you have a family member with T2D, you have a higher risk of developing it. 
• Age: Being 45 or older increases your chance of developing T2D.
• Race: If you are African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, you have a higher chance of developing T2D.

Several chronic health conditions also raise your risk of Type 2 diabetes, including:

• High blood pressure
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Prediabetes
• Gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)

Treating diabetes requires a holistic approach that seeks the right balance of a healthy diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, glucose monitoring and medication.

Your team of diabetes specialists may include endocrinologists, primary care doctors, diabetes educators, registered dietitian nutritionists, pharmacists, community health assistants and specialty physicians (just to name a few). And they all work together to empower you along your journey to better health.

We may recommend one or more of the following treatments for you:

• Diabetes education
• Lifestyle coaching
• Advanced carbohydrate counting
• Medication management

Doctors prescribe several medications to treat T2D, including: 

• DPP-4 inhibitors, which reduce blood sugar levels
• GLP-1 receptor agonists, which slow digestion while lowering blood sugar levels
• Insulin, which helps your body process carbohydrates
• Meglitinides, which help your pancreas make more insulin
• Metformin, which lowers the production of glucose in your liver to help your body use insulin better
• SGLT2 inhibitors, which keep your kidneys from reabsorbing sugar into your bloodstream
• Sulfonylureas, which help your body produce more insulin

When you eat healthy food, you can live a healthier life. Eating well also helps you manage your A1c (or blood sugar) level. And that makes it easier to deal with diabetes. 
Geisinger has a program called Fresh Food Farmacy. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive free, healthy food to help you eat the way your body needs to improve your diabetes.

So how does it work? When you enroll in this free program, we write you a “prescription” for healthy, nutritious food. You’ll then get fresh, healthy food at your assigned Fresh Food Farmacy location regularly. But it doesn’t stop there.

You’ll also get:

• Recipes: Step-by-step directions guide you through making a lighter lunch or a slimmed-down supper.
• Education classes: Learn the connection between nutrition and wellness, as well as cooking tips.
• Care management: Work with a registered dietitian and a registered nurse or certified health coach to learn how to eat in ways that help you manage your condition and lower your A1C.

And you won’t just get food for you — we’ll provide enough for your whole family. Learn how to eat healthy, without worrying about your budget. You may even be able to better control your diabetes.

Your doctor may do several blood tests to check for Type 2 diabetes. These tests may include:

• Glycated hemoglobin (A1c) test, which measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. You will not need to fast for this test.
• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, which measures your fasting blood sugar levels. To take this test, you won’t be able to eat or drink anything other than water for at least 8 hours beforehand. We recommend having this test in the morning.
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which measures your blood sugar levels two hours before and after drinking a sweet beverage. This test shows how your body processes sugar.
• Random blood sugar test, which tests your blood at any time of day when you’re showing severe symptoms of diabetes.

Diabetes care may include primary care providers, endocrinologists, diabetes educators, registered dietitian nutritionists and pharmacists. Your care team works together to support your blood sugar management and overall health.

Diabetes can cause a condition called diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve damage in the feet and legs. Neuropathy can cause pain, tingling or numbness — or it may have no symptoms at all.

Neuropathy can lead to sores on the feet that take a long time to heal. It can also cause muscle weakness, make it harder for you to feel pain and make you more sensitive to touch. If you don’t treat the sores, you could get an infection, which can lead to more problems.

Fortunately, you can prevent sores on your feet. Here are some prevention tips:

• Check your feet daily. Call your doctor if you notice any swelling, redness or wounds.
• Wash your feet daily with soap, and use lotion to keep them soft.
• Wear the right-sized shoes. Avoid shoes that rub — they can lead to blisters, calluses and other foot problems.
• Visit your podiatrist regularly.

Yes, blurry vision can be one of the first signs of diabetes. High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, making your vision blurry. Get regular eye exams so your doctor can detect problems early on, before your eyes are permanently damaged.

You can also protect your eyes by:

• Controlling your blood pressure.
• Watching your cholesterol.
• Monitoring your blood sugar.
• Quitting smoking.

Yes. Geisinger’s diabetes education classes cover topics like nutrition, physical activity, glucose monitoring and how to lower your risk of complications. Each session focuses on practical steps you can use right away. Classes also give you the chance to connect with others working toward similar goals.

Diabetes educators teach you how to manage blood sugar. They explain what your numbers mean, how food and activity affect glucose and how to use medications correctly. They can also help you build skills and confidence so you can make informed choices about your health.

Think of your diabetes educator as your cheerleader and support system all in one. They’ll help you control your diabetes. Plus, they’ll give nutritional counseling and teach you about how food can affect your blood sugar.

You’ll also learn how to manage your medications, check and monitor your blood sugar and respond if your blood sugar levels are too low or too high.

As a bonus, your diabetes educator is here for your family too, teaching the people you love about your condition. Just like a personal diabetes coach.