What Is Diabetes? The word diabetes is very common in this day and age. More and more people are being affected with this disease. The causes of diabetes are generally from individuals who have high blood glucose or high blood sugar. Diabetes will develop in the body when the individual doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas.

Diabetes Definition:

Diabetes is a group of diseases that generally result in too much sugar in the blood.

Types Of Diabetes:

There are four types of diabetes:

  1. Type 1 Diabetes
  2. Type 2 Diabetes
  3. Gestational Diabetes
  4. Prediabetes

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes is an Autoimmune disease where the body destroys the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin. This leads the body to no longer be able to produce insulin. It is not preventable, or curable yet. For more information on Type 1 Diabetes, please visit here.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is a chornic condition that can affect the way the body processes glucose or blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes is more common, making up more than 3 million cases per year in the USA. People with type two diabetes often have developed an intolerance to the way insulin is used in the body. For these individuals, healthy dieting and exercise, insulin therapy and proper medication will help control the diabetes and treat it.

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

While type one diabetes and type two diabetes are the most commonly discussed types of diabetes there is also gestational diabetes. This occurs in pregnant women. Hormone levels and the additional stress of a growing child can cause the woman to not produce enough insulin to keep her sugar levels down. Unfortunately, a woman who suffers from gestational diabetes is more prone to developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a form of diabetes where the blood sugar is high, but not high enough to become Type 2 Diabetes.

Treatment Options For Diabetes:

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that keeps the body from using insulin to break down glucose as it enters the blood stream. Without the breakdown of glucose, it can’t enter our cells to help make fuel for our bodies. Depending on the form of diabetes you have and the severity of the case, treatments will be different; however overall diabetes treatments include controlling your blood sugar through dieting, exercise, oral medicine, or insulin, as well as regular screening.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment:

Type 1 Diabetes Treatments focus on maintaining normal blood sugar levels, healthy dieting and exercise, as well as insulin therapy.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment:

Type 2 Diabetes Treatments include healthy dieting and exercise, insulin therapy and proper medication.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment:

Gestational Diabetes treatment includes constant blood sugar monitoring, healthy dieting and exercise, and monitoring the baby closely. If your blood sugar does get to high, medication will be needed.

Source: Webmd.com