Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes commonly occurs in children and adolescents, though adults may also be affected. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces very little insulin or none at all. Therefore, insulin injections must be administered regularly throughout the patient’s life. This condition can be caused by autoimmune problems, viral infections, or is genetically inherited from one or both parents.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the form of diabetes that usually occurs in adults, especially the elderly. With this condition, either the pancreas is unable to make enough insulin or the body’s cells become unresponsive to insulin, and blood glucose levels are pushed dangerously high (above 126 mg/DL). Currently, type 2 diabetes is on the rise due to problems associated with obesity. Also, Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Pacific Islanders, and native Hawaiians are specific minority groups who are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is a state where blood sugar levels are slightly above normal, thereby putting someone in danger of developing type 2 diabetes. A person is considered to be pre-diabetic if their blood sugar level is above 100 mg/DL but below 126 mg/DL. It is estimated that around 57 million people in the suffer from this condition. Unfortunately, prediabetes can cause damage to the heart and circulatory system even before type 2 diabetes is diagnosed. However, it is possible to reverse the damage that occurs with prediabetes by eating right and making healthy changes to lifestyle.
Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy in previously non-diabetic women is called gestational diabetes. Though this condition usually disappears after childbirth, these women are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes throughout their lifetime. In addition, the elevated sugar levels caused by gestational diabetes may affect the health of a developing the baby; so proper monitoring of blood sugar levels is essential throughout pregnancy. By exercising regularly and making healthy food choices, women who had gestational diabetes can diminish the risk of getting type 2 diabetes in the future.
