Type 2 diabetes

Is a disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, that is, by too high a level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This disease usually occurs in older adults, and more commonly affects people who are obese or overweight.

In a healthy individual, blood sugar is controlled by insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin allows sugar to enter cells for use as fuel, especially in muscles and liver. In a person with type 2 diabetes, the body becomes unable to regulate blood sugar, which is the level of glucose in the blood. This is when blood sugar levels rise (this is called hyperglycemia). In the long term, if blood sugar is not lowered by treatment, it can cause serious health problems, especially cardiovascular problems.