Diabetes Information
Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a disease that affects the way the body turns glucose — a form of sugar — into energy.
Normally, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin when glucose is in the blood stream. Insulin takes the glucose into the cells where it is used as energy or stored for later use.
In someone with diabetes, the body either does not make enough insulin or does not use the insulin properly and too much glucose remains in the blood. Then the cells don't get enough sugar for fuel and the body does not have enough energy to do its work.
Over time, the high level of sugar in the blood can cause more serious complications.
The three most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes.
Only five to 10 percent of people who have diabetes have type 1.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin. Glucose is unable to get into the cells, so the glucose level in the blood goes up. When the glucose level rises above normal, a person has high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia.
While type 1 diabetes is more common in children and young adults, it can occur at any age.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes used to be referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes.
Between 90 and 95 percent of all people with diabetes have type 2.
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes insulin, but the insulin does not work right, or the cells cannot take in the glucose, making the blood glucose level in the blood rise. A person then has high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia.
People who tend to develop type 2 diabetes:
- have a history of type 2 diabetes in their family
- are over age 45
- are members of minority groups, including African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander or Native American
- are overweight or obese
- have high blood pressure
- have high cholesterol and triglycerides
- are not physically active
- have a history of gestational diabetes
- gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Because of the hormone changes in pregnancy, sometimes the pancreas does not make enough insulin.
After pregnancy, gestational diabetes often goes away; however, some women may get diabetes in the future.
Diabetes Risks
People with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetes-related complications. Heart disease is the most common problem linked to diabetes.
Additional complications include:
- eye problems, including blindness
- loss of limbs due to poor circulation
- hearing difficulties and loss
- kidney disease
- strokes
People with diabetes can avoid diabetes-related complications by properly self-managing the disease.
Pre-diabetes
People who are high risk for developing type 2 diabetes may have a condition known as pre-diabetes, where the blood glucose is higher than normal, but not high enough to qualify for a diagnosis of diabetes.
Most people who have pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years.
However, people who have pre-diabetes and make small lifestyle changes — including small changes to the diet and increased physical activity — can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
The Diabetes Prevention Program, a large prevention study of people at high risk for diabetes, showed that lifestyle intervention reduced developing diabetes by 58 percent during a three-year period. The reduction was even greater, 71 percent, among adults aged 60 or older.