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Type 2 Diabetes: Test Your Medical IQ

Answers FAQ

Type 2 Diabetes FAQs

Reviewed by );"John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP on November 1, 2017

Take the Type 2 Diabetes Quiz First! Before reading this FAQ, challenge yourself and
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Q:What is another term for type 2 diabetes?

A:Adult-onset diabetes is another term for type 2 diabetes, or diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes is often referred to as adult-onset diabetes because it is often diagnosed in adults, though children and teens may also develop the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels caused by the body's inability to use insulin properly.

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Q:What is the name for the hormone that helps the body use sugar for energy?

A:The hormone that helps the body use sugar (glucose) for energy is called insulin.



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Q:The pancreas is name of the organ in the body that makes insulin. True or false?


The organ in the body that makes insulin is the pancreas.

This hand-sized organ is located behind the lower part of the stomach. It produces enzymes to help digest food in the intestine and makes hormones including insulin, which is important in regulating blood sugar levels.

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Q:How do type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ?

A:There are differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes because it tends to develop in childhood as a result of a damaged pancreas that produces little to no insulin. In contrast, type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes because it tends to be diagnosed later in life. In type 2 diabetes, the body has increasing difficulty absorbing and using the insulin produced by the pancreas.

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Q:Which is more common? Type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes?

A:Type 2 diabetes makes up about 90% of cases of all diabetes, making it far more common than type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States as of 2013, with 75,578 death certificates listing it as the underlying cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

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Q:What is the best predictor of type 2 diabetes?

A:The best predictor – or most major risk factor – for type 2 diabetes is being overweight or obese.

Nearly 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, and this puts additional pressure on their body's ability to use insulin to efficiently control blood sugar (glucose) levels. The number of cases of diabetes among American adults grew by one-third in the 1990s and because obesity is on the rise in the U.S., the number of diabetes cases among American adults is expected to continue to increase.

Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include age, race, pregnancy, stress, certain medications, genetics or family history, and high cholesterol.

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Q:In general, can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

A:Yes. In general, type 2 diabetes is preventable..

Just a 5-10% weight loss along with lifestyle changes such as exercise may prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes in at-risk individuals. Studies have shown that diet and moderate physical activity (such as walking a total of 150 minutes per week – about 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week) can reduce weight and reduce the development of diabetes by 40-60%.

The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight, to increase activity, and to lose weight if you are overweight.

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Q:Is it true that eating too much sugar causes diabetes?

A:It's a myth that simply eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is genetic, and it is unknown what triggers the disease, while type 2 diabetes is a combination of genetics and lifestyle.

Where sugar enters the equation is that being overweight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories and sugar can contribute to weight gain. Research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to developing type 2 diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association recommends avoiding sugar-sweetened beverages including regular soda, fruit punch, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweet tea, and other sugary drinks, to help prevent diabetes. Sugary drinks such as these raise blood sugar (glucose) and can contain several hundred calories per serving!

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Q:What are symptoms of type 2 diabetes?



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