International Diabetes Center > Disease Information > Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

In type 2 diabetes (formerly "adult-onset diabetes" or "non-insulin-dependent diabetes"), the pancreas, a gland that lies behind the stomach, does not make enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly.

Type 2 diabetes begins with insulin resistance. The body cannot use insulin efficiently. Glucose stays in the bloodstream instead of entering the cells. Blood glucose levels rise higher than normal, but not high enough to be diabetes.

During this period, called prediabetes, the pancreas works overtime to make more insulin to overcome the resistance. For a while, the extra insulin moves enough glucose into cells to keep glucose from building up too high in the blood. This can go on for months or years without warning.

The pancreas eventually begins to tire. Insulin production levels off, and the body cannot keep up with the amount of glucose in the blood. Type 2 diabetes then starts. It may not be diagnosed right away, however, because often no visible or obvious symptoms exist.

Over time, the pancreas makes less and less insulin, and ultimately very little or none, called insulin deficiency. At the same time, the body continues to resist the action of any insulin that is being produced. Many treatments are available to address both insulin resistance and insulin deficiency.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in people over age 45, but even children develop it. Risk factors include having prediabetes, being overweight, having family members with diabetes or having high blood pressure.

Learn more about treating type 2 diabetes.

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