Type 2 diabetes affects 15 million Americans, most of them overweight. Of those, only about half know they have the disease.
Diabetes can develop gradually over many years, often with no symptoms.
It may go unnoticed until you develop one of its common complications cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or vision problems. But, according to the February Medical Essay, a supplement to Mayo Clinic Health Letter, you may be able to minimize your risk of developing serious complications by treating diabetes early. Improved methods of diabetes control and new medications may also help. In type 2 diabetes, your pancreas makes some insulin but not enough. Insulin is a hormone secreted by your pancreas.