What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a group of diseases where blood sugar levels are higher than normal. When you eat a meal, your body breaks the food down into sugar so that the body can use it for energy. Normally, the pancreas makes insulin that acts as a sort of “key” that “opens the door” and takes the sugar from your bloodstream into the cells of your body. The cells then use this “fuel” as energy for all the needs of the body, such as breathing and moving around.

In diabetes, something goes wrong. Either your body does not make insulin or your body can’t use the insulin that you are making. There are two main kinds of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes has also been called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes because it was thought that only children developed this kind of diabetes. We now know that people of any age can develop it. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin shots every day.

Type 2 diabetes has also been called non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes because it was thought that only adults developed this diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is now being diagnosed in children and adolescents, as well as in adults. Usually this is a disease that comes as a result of getting older, being overweight, not exercising, or of having a family history of type 2 diabetes. With lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and increasing activity and exercise levels, this type of diabetes often can be prevented, delayed, or controlled. Some people with type 2 diabetes need to take a pill and some need insulin shots. Today, type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes.

Pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood sugars are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. Having pre-diabetes puts you at a higher risk for developing diabetes and at a higher risk for developing heart disease and stroke, as well as many other health problems.

When you take the risk assessment quiz, if you score greater than 10 points, and have not already discussed your personal diabetes risk with your doctor, you should make an appointment and see your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as your provider thinks you should. By ignoring the risk and by doing nothing about it, you put yourself needlessly at high risk for many health problems that could be prevented or could be less severe if you take ActionNow! for a healthier future.

For more information, click here for answers to frequently asked questions on diabetes.