What Is Diabetes?

Around 38.4 million Americans have diabetes, representing 11.6% of the population. Experts estimate that 8.7 million Americans are undiagnosed, which means their diabetes is also untreated.

There are multiple types of diabetes that present a variety of symptoms. By understanding diabetes and its associated risk factors, you and your loved ones can seek treatment early on. Learn more about this condition and who it affects.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is usually classified as Type 1 or Type 2 and is diagnosed based on the cause of the condition.

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune reaction, which means the immune system of your body attacks itself. Between 5-10% of diabetes patients have Type 1.
• Type 2 diabetes develops when your body can't manage its own blood sugar levels. Up to 95% of people who have diabetes have Type 2. This type of diabetes can be maintained through healthy lifestyle changes.

Let’s look at each of these types of diabetes in greater detail, as well as a third type called gestational diabetes, which develops in pregnant people.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

To better understand Type 1 diabetes, it helps to understand how the body creates and uses insulin. Islet cells located in the pancreas make insulin. Insulin signals to other cells in the body when to take glucose out of the bloodstream. Glucose is a type of sugar that gives the human body energy.

Humans without diabetes naturally produce enough insulin to turn glucose into energy. However, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks islet cells because it perceives them as threats. This means that patients with this disease cannot produce enough insulin to support the body.

However, in patients with Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the islet cells that create insulin; this means the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to support the body.

Rates of Type 1 diabetes continue to increase in children younger than 20, according to the CDC. While non-Hispanic white children have the highest incidence rates of Type 1 diabetes, a growing number of non-white children across all other groups are living with this condition.

How Is Type 1 Diabetes Treated?

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, your doctor may recommend taking insulin. They will also teach you how to monitor your blood sugar and maintain a healthy diet by counting macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They might also recommend maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly to reduce your symptoms.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

There are two causes behind Type 2 diabetes. The first is when the pancreas produces less insulin than it should. The second is when your pancreas produces insulin but your body’s cells do not respond well to it. This is called insulin resistance.

Most individuals with diabetes have Type 2, and in the past two decades, the number of individuals with this condition has doubled. This rise is linked to the higher rates of obesity in the American population.

While genetics can play a role in whether you develop this condition, your lifestyle is a much bigger determinant of whether or not you are at risk of Type 2 diabetes. Patients who work to lose weight are more likely to reduce their Type 2 diabetes symptoms.

How Is Type 2 Diabetes Treated?

If you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend medications to help manage your blood sugar levels. They will also teach you how to measure your blood sugar so you can identify when it is getting low.

Additionally, your doctor will walk you through diet and exercise best practices for managing your diabetes. While a healthy diet can help you lose weight, increasing your exercise habits can boost your heart health while helping you gain muscle.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition, which means it is long-lasting. However, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can lower its impact on your life.

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs in pregnant women who did not have diabetes before they became pregnant. It is the result of a hormone released by the placenta that prevents the body from using insulin effectively, causing insulin resistance. Symptoms of gestational diabetes usually develop during the 20 to 24-week marks of pregnancy.

Any pregnant woman is at risk of developing gestational diabetes, but pregnant women who are obese, older, have already given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, or are genetically prone to this condition are more likely to develop it. Up to 8% of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but this condition resolves after the baby arrives.

Gestational diabetes can also affect the health of the baby by increasing their risk of developing diabetes later in life. There’s also an increased risk of having a miscarriage or stillbirth.

If you are currently pregnant and know family members who have diabetes, talk to your doctor. Many doctors will test the blood sugar levels of pregnant women to make sure they don’t become diabetic.

How Is Gestational Diabetes Treated?

Treatment for gestational diabetes will depend on the patient. In mild cases, your doctor might recommend improving your diet and exercise until the delivery. They also will encourage daily blood glucose monitoring to make sure your symptoms don't get worse.

It's also not uncommon for doctors to recommend insulin injections until your baby is born. This will allow you to stay healthy until the delivery.

What Is Prediabetes?

More than one in three Americans, representing 98 million adults, have prediabetes. This occurs when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not in the range that you can be formally diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It is, unfortunately, a warning sign that you could develop Type 2 diabetes in the future.

More than 80% of people with pre-diabetes do not know they have this condition, and you may be more likely to develop it if you are overweight or do not exercise regularly.

How Is Prediabetes Treated?

It is better to face your prediabetes instead of living with this condition undiagnosed. You have the opportunity to prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes through long-term lifestyle changes.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) offers resources, education, and support for people with prediabetes. Since the main cause of Type 2 diabetes is excess fat in the body, this program focuses on making healthy diet choices and learning how to exercise. Luckily, losing as little as 5% of your body weight can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Even if you don't have a diabetes diagnosis, there's never a bad time to reduce your risk of developing this condition. Small lifestyle changes, like learning to eat healthy by choosing nutritious foods in reasonable portions and by regularly exercising, can have a big impact and support your overall health for decades to come.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.