The highest rates of type 2 diabetes in America are among native Americans, Hispanics, and African Americans. The precise cause of type 2 diabetes is not known, although age and weight appear to be factors. As people become older or overweight, they are more likely to have diabetes. Cells in the body become unable to use the insulin made by the pancreas. Heredity is also an important factor.
Many people have no symptoms.
Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and test the level of sugar in your blood. Sometimes another test called a glucose tolerance test is done. For this test a sample of your blood is taken when you have not eaten anything since the night before. Then you drink a sugar drink and your blood is tested 2 hours later. Your health care provider may also test a sample of your urine for sugar.