What is Diabetes?

What is Diabetes?

  • Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body is not making enough of the hormone “insulin” or the insulin you have is not working the way it should.
  • When insulin is not working properly, your blood sugar levels will rise.
  • Monitoring your blood sugar, following a meal plan, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and taking medications will all help you manage your diabetes and prevent complications.

Types of Diabetes

                                                            type1                                                                                                                           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 injections are required for treatment.             
type2

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have type 2 diabetes and many more are unaware that they are at high risk for the disease.  Certain factors increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  See below for Diabetes Risk Assessment Test link.  Type 2 diabetes may be treated with diet, exercise, pills and/or insulin injections.

Gestational Gestational diabetes develops around the 24th-28th week of pregnancy in some women.  This type of diabetes typically goes away after baby is delivered.  Blood sugar control during the pregnancy is very important to prevent complications in mom and baby.  Treatment includes diet and exercise, but pills and/or insulin injections may be necessary.       

 HELPFUL LINKS: 

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Test:  http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/diabetes-risk-test/?loc=DropDownDB-RiskTest

American Diabetes Association website link:  http://www.diabetes.org/