There are 3 main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and specific types of diabetes. In the first 3 types of diabetes, the body cannot produce insulin or insulin cannot do its physiological job.
1 in 4 people with diabetes don’t know they have it. Could you be one of them? Read the article below to find out how high your risk is.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood. Once the pancreas stops producing insulin, people have type 1 diabetes for life. The main triggers for this type of diabetes are:
- Family history. If you have a relative with diabetes, you are at increased risk of developing diabetes yourself. If a parent, sister, or brother has type 1 diabetes, you should have a physical exam. A simple blood test can diagnose if you have diabetes.
- Pancreatic disease. This disease affects the body’s ability to produce insulin.
- Infection or disease. Some rare infections or diseases can damage the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes have a process called insulin resistance in which the body cannot use the insulin produced by the pancreas. type 2 diabetes is usually in adults, but can develop at any time in their lives. The main triggers for this type of diabetes include:
- Obesity or being overweight. This is the most important factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. In the United States, this type of diabetes is starting to appear in more adolescent populations because of childhood obesity.
- Impaired glucose tolerance. Pre-diabetes has a mild form of impaired glucose tolerance that can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. If you have this condition, you are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
- Insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes often occurs when the body’s cells resist insulin, which means the pancreas must produce more insulin to meet the body’s needs.
- Gestational diabetes. If you have diabetes during pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes. The disease increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.
- Sedentary. Exercise less than 3 times a week.
- Family history
- Family history. Have a parent or sibling with diabetes.
- Family history.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Age.
- Age. 45 years or older and overweight, or with symptoms of diabetes, see your doctor promptly for a simple screening test.
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Diabetes in pregnancy
In the United States, 4% of people with diabetes are women during pregnancy. The disease is caused by hormones produced by the placenta, or by insulin deficiency. Hyperglycemia in the mother can lead to hyperglycemia in the fetus. If left untreated, this can affect the growth and development of the child. Predisposing factors for gestational diabetes include:
- Obesity or being overweight.
- Pre-diabetes. Having had prediabetes or gestational diabetes is likely to recur.
- Family history. If you have a parent or sibling with diabetes, you are at greater risk of developing the disease.
- Age. The older you are in pregnancy, the greater your risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Response
Regardless of the risk of developing the disease, there are many ways to respond to delay or prevent diabetes:
- Control blood pressure
- Keeping your weight within a healthy range
- Exercise consistently for 30 minutes a day
- Eat a balanced diet