Diabetes mellitus type 2

Diabetes mellitus type 2
Synonyms	noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), adult-onset diabetes

Universal blue circle symbol for diabetes
Pronunciation	/daɪəbiːtiːs/
Classification and external resources
Specialty	Endocrinology
ICD-10	E11
ICD-9-CM	250.00, 250.02
OMIM	125853
DiseasesDB	3661
MedlinePlus	000313
eMedicine	article/117853
MeSH	D003924
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Diabetes mellitus type 2 (also known as type 2 diabetes) is a long term metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss. Symptoms may also include increased hunger, feeling tired, and sores that do not heal. Often symptoms come on slowly. Long-term complications from high blood sugar include heart disease, strokes, diabetic retinopathy which can result in blindness, kidney failure, and poor blood flow in the limbs which may lead to amputations. The sudden onset of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state may occur; however, ketoacidosis is uncommon.

Type 2 diabetes primarily occurs as a result of obesity and not enough exercise. Some people are more genetically at risk than others. Type 2 diabetes makes up about 90% of cases of diabetes, with the other 10% due primarily to diabetes mellitus type 1 and gestational diabetes. In diabetes mellitus type 1 there is an absolute lack of insulin due to breakdown of islet cells in the pancreas. Diagnosis of diabetes is by blood tests such as fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, or A1C.