Diabetes
What is diabetes? | What causes diabetes? | Am I at risk? | How will I know if I have diabetes? | What can I do? | Common Diabetes Terms
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that happens when you have too much sugar in your blood.
If you do not have diabetes, sugar travels through your body in these steps:
- Sugar from the food you eat travels to your bloodstream
- When there is too much sugar in your blood, an organ called the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin
- Insulin acts like a key to let the sugar out of your bloodstream and into your body’s cells so you can use it as energy
With diabetes, insulin is not able to help sugar leave the bloodstream, causing high blood sugar.
There are 3 main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make any insulin. Type 1 diabetes usually shows up earlier in life.
Type 2 diabetes
With type 2 diabetes, your body either does not make enough insulin or your body cannot use the insulin it does make. Type 2 diabetes develops over time. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy in someone who has never had diabetes. It usually goes away after your baby is born, but it increases your risk for type 2 diabetes later in life.
What causes diabetes?
The exact cause of most types of diabetes is not known.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may come from a mixture of things. Your body’s genes, the choices you make, and your environment can all play a role.
Scientists believe that type 1 diabetes may happen when the body’s immune system mistakenly starts attacking itself.
Am I at risk?
Risk factors for diabetes can vary by type.
Type 1 diabetes
- Family medical history: having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes
- Age: you can get type 1 diabetes at any age, but it usually shows up in children, teens, and young adults
Type 2 diabetes
- Family medical history: having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes could mean you are at higher risk
- Age: those age 45 years and older are at higher risk
- Weight: higher body weight can be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes
- Activity level: those who are physically active fewer than 3 times per week are at higher risk
- Personal medical history: those with prediabetes, or who have ever had gestational diabetes, are at higher risk
- Race or ethnicity: Black, Hispanic or Latino, Native American, Alaska Native, some Pacific Islander, and some Asian American people are at higher risk
Gestational diabetes
- Personal medical history: those who have had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, have given birth to a baby over 9 pounds, and those with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk
- Weight: higher body weight can be a risk factor for gestational diabetes
- Age: those age 25 years and older are at higher risk
- Family medical history: having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes could mean you are at higher risk
- Race or ethnicity: Black, Hispanic or Latino, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander people are at higher risk
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is a health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a doctor to diagnose you with diabetes. It is very common for people with prediabetes to not know they have it. Having prediabetes could mean you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Unlike most cases of diabetes, prediabetes is reversible.
How will I know if I have diabetes?
The best way to tell if you have diabetes is through a blood test. There are a few different types of blood tests for diabetes. They are all effective and your doctor can help you know which is right for you.
Many times, there are no symptoms for diabetes, meaning you can’t tell that there’s anything wrong unless you get a test at your doctor’s office. However, when someone does have symptoms for diabetes, they can include:
- Feeling thirsty more than usual
- Urinating (peeing) more than usual
- Fatigue (feeling very tired for a longer period)
- Blurred vision
What can I do?
Prevention
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, such as getting regular exercise and eating healthy foods. This can help even if you are at high risk for diabetes.
Here are some ways you can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes:
- Lose extra weight.
- Get regular physical activity or exercise.
- Skip restrictive diets. Instead, focus on eating healthy, balanced meals.
- See your doctor for regular checkups and talk to them about your risk for diabetes.
Living with Diabetes
Managing your diabetes will help you feel better and can lower your chances of other complications like diseases of the heart, teeth and gums, eyes, and kidneys.
Here are some things you can do:
- Make healthy food choices
- Stay physically active
- Keep an eye on your blood sugar
- Take your medication as it is prescribed
One of the most important parts of diabetes management is keeping in contact with your doctor and other people who help you manage it. They will help you plan for managing your diabetes at home and will help you with any issues that may come up.
Need extra help?
Common Diabetes Terms
A1C
A blood test that tells a person their average level of blood glucose (also called blood sugar) over the past 3 months. A normal A1C level is below 5.7.
Gestational diabetes
A type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy.
Hyperglycemia
The condition of having too much sugar in the blood.
Hypoglycemia
The condition of having low levels of sugar in the blood.
Insulin
A hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy. Insulin is made by the pancreas.
Pancreas
The organ that makes insulin and helps with digestion.
Type 1 diabetes
A disease where a person does not make insulin, causing too much sugar in the blood.
Type 2 diabetes
A disease where a person’s body is either not able to make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does make. Type 2 diabetes is usually related to a person’s lifestyle and it develops over time.
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