Final answer:
Type 2 diabetes is managed by lifestyle changes and possibly medications to enhance insulin's effect. When uncontrolled, insulin injections become necessary. It affects millions globally, and monitoring of blood glucose is critical for those with chronic diabetes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high concentrations of glucose in the blood due to insulin resistance or a lack of insulin. When lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss, and a healthful diet are insufficient to control blood glucose levels, medications can be prescribed. These can enhance insulin release or improve the body's response to insulin. In some cases, particularly when other treatments do not suffice, patients with type 2 diabetes may need insulin injections. Daily insulin use is indicative of a disease that has progressed to the point where the individual's pancreas does not produce enough insulin on its own.
For patients with chronic diabetes, monitoring blood sugar levels is crucial. While there is no cure for type 1 diabetes and insulin shots must be taken for life, type 2 diabetes management focuses on controlling high blood glucose through various means, all aimed at preventing the negative outcomes associated with this disease, which, as of 2016, affects an estimated 422 million people worldwide.