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About Diabetes
Select the type of diabetes:  Type 1 Type 2Gestational DiabetesPre-diabetes
Learn how diabetes affects your bodyCDC National Diabetes Fact Sheet10 Ways To Avoid Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
- Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
- Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) (.pdf)
Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic. Type 2 diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives.
Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year.
We don't know what causes gestational diabetes, but we have some clues. The placenta supports the baby as it grows. Hormones from the placenta help the baby develop. But these hormones also block the action of the mother's insulin in her body. This problem is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother's body to use insulin. She may need up to three times as much insulin.
While diabetes occurs in people of all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.
Pre-Diabetes
Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy. Glucose builds up in the blood to high levels. This is called hyperglycemia.
Pre-diabetes is a condition that comes before type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal but aren’t high enough to be called diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a silent disease meaning you can have it but not know it. The good news is that cutting back on calories and fat, being physically active, and losing weight can reverse the pre-diabetes and therefore delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t go away once you have it so it’s better to prevent it in the first place.
How can type 2 diabetes be delayed or prevented?
In a recent study, people at high risk for type 2 diabetes greatly reduced their risk of getting it by eating less than usual, increasing their physical activity, and losing weight. They
- cut down on fat
- cut back on calories
- exercised about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, usually by brisk walking
- lost weight-an average of 15 pounds in the first year of study
These strategies worked equally well for men and women and particularly well for people aged 60 and older. Several other studies have shown that type 2 can be delayed or prevented.
Am I likely to have pre-diabetes?
As you get older, especially if you’re overweight, your chances of having pre-diabetes increases. Your doctor should check your blood glucose level if you are
- 45 or older and overweight
- under 45 and overweight and have other risk factors for diabetes
If you are 45 or older and your weight is normal, ask your doctor if you need to be checked for pre-diabetes.
Are you at increased risk of diabetes?
You’re at risk for diabetes if you
- are overweight
- are physically inactive
- have a parent, brother , or sister with diabetes
- are Africa America, Native America, Asian America, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic America
- have had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or have had gestational diabetes
- have high blood pressure ( over 140/90 mmHg)
- have low HDL cholesterol ( 35 mg/dl or lower or high triglycerides ( 250 mg/dl or higher)
How can I find out whether I have pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes has no symptoms. You’ll need a blood test to check your blood glucose level. Your doctor will use one of these two tests:
The fasting plasma glucose test measures your blood glucose after you have gone overnight without eating. This test is most reliable when done in the morning. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed when fasting glucose levels are between 100 and 125 mg/dl. These glucose levels are above normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. A fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dl or higher means diabetes and must be confirmed with repeat testing on another day.
The oral glucose tolerance test measures your blood glucose after an overnight fast and 2 hours after you drink a sweet liquid provided by the doctor or laboratory. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed when blood glucose is between 140 and 199 mg/dl 2 hours after drinking the liquid. These glucose levels are above normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. A 2-hour blood glucose of 200 mg/dl or higher means diabetes and must be confirmed with repeat testing on another day.
How can I reverse pre-diabetes?
To help bring your blood glucose levels back to normal, you can
- cut back on calories and fat
- increase your physical activity
Doing so will make it more likely that you’ll lose weight. If you are overweight, losing 5 to 7 percent of your total weight can help you a lot. For example, if you weight 200 pounds, your goal would be to lose 10 to 15 pounds.
- Cutting back on calories and fat
- Increasing your physical activity
Are there any medications to treat pre-diabetes?
No drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for pre-diabetes. However, several medications available by prescription for diabetes or weight loss have been used in the studies. Though certain drugs do seem to delay or prevent diabetes, they don’t work nearly as well as eating less, being active and losing weight. At this time, experts recommend eating less, increasing physical activity, and losing weight as the best ways to treat pre-diabetes, instead of taking medications.
*Source-American Diabetes Association
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