Diabetes - Type 2

Diabetes - Type 2

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Treatments
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is type 2 diabetes?

    Type 2 diabetes makes it difficult for a person’s body to use the insulin it produces. This is called insulin resistance: the cells of your body do not easily recognize your insulin. If the insulin is not recognized, the "door" to your cells will not open to allow sugar to move from the blood into the cell. Sugar remains in the blood, leading to higher than normal blood sugars.

    Who is affected by type 2 diabetes?

    Anyone can develop diabetes. However, people who have a family history of diabetes are more likely to develop it. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes also increases as people become older, sedentary, or overweight. Ethnic background is also an important factor. People of Native American, Latino, African American, and Asian American descent are at greater risk for diabetes. 

    Additionally, people who develop diabetes while pregnant (known as gestational diabetes) are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People of any age can get type 2 diabetes. It is seen most frequently in adults, but type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing in children and adolescents. Federal statistics estimate that 18.2 million children and adults in the United States — 6.3 percent of the population — have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million of these have been diagnosed with diabetes, 5.2 million are estimated to have type 2 diabetes and not know it. Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

    What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?
    • A family history of diabetes
    • Overweight
    • An inactive lifestyle
    • Over 45 years old
    • African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Islander heritage
    • History of gestational diabetes or having a baby weighing over 9 pounds
    • Having high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure

    Appointment Information

    To make an appointment with a clinician, call 734-647-5871.

    What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
    • Frequent urination
    • Increased thirst
    • Increased appetite
    • Fatigue
    • Blurred vision
    • Slowly healing infections or wounds
    • Pain, numbness or tingling in the feet

    Progression of type 2 diabetes

    For those with a family history of type 2 diabetes, weight gain and an inactive lifestyle can increase insulin resistance. As insulin resistance increases, your body fights to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It does this by increasing the amount of insulin made in the pancreas. During this phase you may develop pre-diabetes (glucose intolerance). The extra insulin helps for a while, but eventually your pancreas becomes tired and can no longer produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugars. It is at this point you may be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 

    Over time, the pancreas of people with type 2 diabetes may naturally lose its ability to make insulin. Therefore it is expected that you may move from controlling diabetes with meal planning and exercise to adding oral medications and possibly insulin. Remember, it is most important to maintain normal blood sugars, and you may need to add oral medication or insulin to meal planning and physical activity. 

    How is type 2 diabetes treated?

    Treatment for type 2 diabetes focuses on keeping your blood sugars as close to normal as possible. This is the best way to prevent the complications of diabetes. The components of diabetes care include:

    • Glucose Monitoring
    • Meal Planning
    • Physical Activity
    • Medication (pills or insulin)
    • Screening for complications

    Locations
    • Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes Clinic | Livonia Health Center 20321 Farmington Rd
      Lobby C
      Livonia, MI 48152-1411       Get Directions
    • Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201       Get Directions
    • Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic | Canton Health Center 1051 N Canton Center Rd
      Lobby C
      Canton, MI 48187-5097       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Alison Holley Affinati, MD

    Alison Holley Affinati, MD, PhD

    Assistant Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Nevin Nuray Ajluni, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Michigan Photo

    Cristina Alvarado Nieves, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Michigan Photo

    Lynn Phyuphyu Ang, MBBS

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Richard Joseph Auchus, MD, PhD

    Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Timothy William Bodnar, MD

    Timothy William Bodnar, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    David Tyler Broome, MD

    David Tyler Broome, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Charles Francis Burant, MD, PhD

    Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Michigan Photo

    Eric Dale Buras, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Debbie Wan Hua Chen, MD

    Debbie Wan Hua Chen, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Endocrinology, Internal Medicine

    Show All Doctors

    News & Stories
    A hand holding a scoop of protein powder hovering over a cup of water
    Health Lab

    Supplementing with peptides: Good for extra pep or a needless step?

    Health Lab talks to Jorge Ruas, Ph.D., of the U-M Department of Pharmacology, about peptides, how they work and whether supplementing them lends any benefit.
         donut with brain character looking at plate
    Health Lab

    New study reveals a missing step in a weight control pathway that could be targeted for obesity treatment

    New research led by Liangyou Rui, Ph.D., of the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan Medical School outlines a missing step in one of these alternative pathways, an important discovery in the fight against obesity.
         woman hugging patient in exam room
    Health Lab

    A unique patient case inspiring research

    Mallory Mattison serves as the inspiration behind critical medical research that’s supporting other patients like her with lipodystrophy syndromes
         risk of T1D development progessor non-progressor time
    Health Lab

    New hope for early diabetes detection

    The research offers an actionable monitoring method that may guide the administration of current and emerging therapeutics more effectively than the current diagnostics that only assess disease risk or detect disease after destruction of insulin producing cells.
         group of people smiling and posing with white hat
    Health Lab

    Researchers uncover why a rare disease resulting in abnormal fat loss can also lead to diabetes

    With help of patients with FPLD2, a research team has finally found some answers to why familial partial lipodystrophy can lead to diabetes and metabolic disease.
         Illustration of scientists and doctors playing basketball in white coats and scrubs
    News Release

    Six U-M medical research teams picked for virtual science tournament

    The March Madness of science, called STAT Madness, brings attention to scientific research at U-M and around the nation; six U-M-led teams have made it to this year's tournament run by a health news organization.