Diabetes
Diabetes is a diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin
action, or both. Diabetes can cause serious complications and even death, people with diabetes must take steps to control the disease
and lower the risk of complications.
Types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes was previously called juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1
diabetes develops when the body's immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, the only cells in the body that make the hormone insulin
that regulates blood glucose. Type 1 diabetes most often strikes children and young adults, although it can
occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5% to 10% of people diagnosed with diabetes. Risk factors for type 1 diabetes
may include autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors.
Type 2 diabetes was previously called adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes
accounts for 90% to 95% of people diagnosed with diabetes. It usually begins as insulin resistance, a disorder in which
the cells do not use insulin properly.
As the need for insulin rises, the pancreas loses its ability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be associated with
older age, obesity, family history, history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose metabolism, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity.
Gestational diabetes is a glucose intolerent diagnosed in some women during pregnancy. It is also more common among obese women especially
those with a family history of diabetes. During pregnancy, gestational diabetes requires treatment to normalize maternal blood
glucose levels to avoid complications in the infant. After pregnancy, 5% to 10% of women with gestational diabetes are found to have
type 2 diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20% to 50% chance of developing diabetes in the following 5-10
years.
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