The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 37 million U.S. adults have diabetes, a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to process food into energy[1]What is Diabetes? . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 10/19/2022. . Diabetes prevents the body from creating enough insulin—the hormone that regulates sugar in the blood—or prevents the body from using insulin properly. This lack of insulin or lack of response from cells can create an increased amount of sugar in the blood, which can lead to serious conditions like kidney disease, vision loss and heart disease.
Diabetes can appear in several forms: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children, teens and young adults and is suspected to be the cause of an autoimmune condition that stops the body from producing insulin. Symptoms tend to develop quickly and include frequent urination, feeling thirsty, feeling hungry even after eating, excessive fatigue, blurred vision, slow-to-heal cuts and/or bruises, unintentional weight loss and tingling, pain or numbness in the hands and feet.
There is currently no preventative treatment for this type of diabetes, and those who have the condition must take insulin every day.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and occurs when the body cannot use insulin properly nor regulate blood sugar effectively. This form is commonly diagnosed in adults and can develop over a number of years, sometimes due to a number of lifestyle and genetic factors.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be difficult to detect and may go unnoticed for years. However, risk factors can help determine a person’s likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and raise their awareness of potential symptoms. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
- Being diagnosed with prediabetes
- Having obesity or a weight above that which is recommended by your health care provider
- Being at least 45 years old
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes, specifically in a parent or sibling
- Being physically active fewer than three times a week
- A history of gestational diabetes from a previous pregnancy
- Giving birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds
- Being of African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander and/or Asian American descent
- Having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Type 2 diabetes can be treated by managing certain lifestyle habits, such as diet, exercise and stress management, sometimes in conjunction with insulin injectables or oral medications prescribed by a health care provider. There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, but it can be managed over time. While more research is needed, some studies suggest the condition can be reversed with dietary restrictions.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy in a pregnant person who doesn’t already have diabetes. This condition occurs when the body can’t produce enough insulin during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes has no symptoms, and much like type 2 diabetes, a person’s medical and family history can help to determine the degree to which they’re at risk.
Gestational diabetes typically resolves itself after the pregnant person gives birth. During pregnancy, the condition can be managed by checking blood sugar regularly, eating a well-balanced diet, staying active and monitoring the health of the baby. However, having gestational diabetes can increase a person’s likelihood of someday developing type 2 diabetes. About 50% of women who had gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes, according to the CDC[2]Gestational Diabetes . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 10/19/2022. . A person can reduce their risk of gestational diabetes with lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy and getting regular exercise.
