Diabetes Basics
Diabetes is a chronic
(long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. There
are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes
(diabetes while pregnant). More than 122 million Americans are living with diabetes
(37.3 million) or prediabetes (96 million).
Learn more about: Diabetes
What
is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic
(long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food
into energy.
Learn all about: Diabetes in one single click
Your body breaks down
most of the food you eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your
bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release
insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells
for use as energy.
With diabetes, your body
doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. When there
isn’t enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. Over time, that
can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss,
and kidney disease.
There isn’t a cure yet
for diabetes, but losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can
really help. Other things you can do to help:
- Take medicine as prescribed.
- Get diabetes self-management education and
support.
- Make
and keep health care appointments.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Diabetes
Types of Diabetes
There are three main types of
diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes
while pregnant).
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is thought to
be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). This
reaction stops your body from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people
who have diabetes have type 1. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop
quickly. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. If you
have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day to survive.
Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
With type 2 diabetes, your body
doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels. About
90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2. It develops over many years and is
usually diagnosed in adults (but more and more in children, teens, and young
adults). You may not notice any symptoms, so it’s important to get your blood
sugar tested if you’re at risk. Type
2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as:
- Losing
weight.
- Eating
healthy food.
- Being active.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops
in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. If you have gestational
diabetes, your baby could be at higher risk for health problems. Gestational
diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born. However, it increases your
risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. Your baby is more likely to have
obesity as a child or teen and develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Learn More: Diabetes Symptoms
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Diabetes
Drugs Used for Treatment of Anemia
High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes
0 Comments