What
is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a common, controllable, life-long disease. When a
person has diabetes, his or her body cannot properly use the energy it gets
from the food eaten. This is because the body either is no longer
producing insulin, is not producing enough insulin, or the insulin is not
working. Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the pancreas and its
job is to keep blood sugar levels normal. The three main types of
diabetes are: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational
diabetes. Another condition called pre-diabetes is almost
always a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (formerly known as insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset
diabetes) is usually diagnosed before the age of 30. With this type of
diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, which the body needs
to control the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. People with
type 1 diabetes must take insulin to live. They manage their diabetes
by taking insulin, monitoring blood sugar levels, eating healthy foods, and
engaging in regular physical activity, all of which helps control blood
sugar levels.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (formerly known as non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset
diabetes) is usually diagnosed after the age of 40, but it is becoming
increasingly more common among younger people. With type 2 diabetes,
insulin is produced in insufficient amounts and/or cannot be used by the
body to control blood sugar levels. People with type 2 diabetes
control blood sugar levels by eating healthy foods, engaging in regular
physical activity, taking their medications (by mouth or injection), and
monitoring their blood sugar levels. Sometimes multiple medications
and insulin are needed to control blood sugar levels.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a condition unique to pregnancy in which the
blood sugar levels become elevated because of the mother’s insufficient
production of insulin or her body’s inability to use insulin
properly. During pregnancy, the woman manages the disease by
monitoring blood sugar levels, eating healthy foods, and engaging in regular
physical activity. Insulin may also be needed. Women with
gestational diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than
normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People
with pre-diabetes are 5 to15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes
compared to people without pre-diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are
also at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Other names used
for pre-diabetes are impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting
glucose. People with pre-diabetes may prevent or delay development of
type 2 diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular physical
activity.
Know Your Risk
Type 2 diabetes prevention is possible, powerful, and proven! It is
important to find out early if you are at risk for Type 2 diabetes or if you
have pre-diabetes.
To find out your risk, take the American
Diabetes Association
Risk Test (exit DHFS).
Other Resources - What is Diabetes?
The Diabetes-Related
Website link will take you to another page that provides many additional
websites with more information on diabetes, its risk factors, and its
complications.
Last Revised: November 08, 2007 |
