Diabetes is a chronic lifelong condition that affects the way your body uses sugar (glucose), the body’s main source of energy. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. With diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin or use it correctly. When that happens, blood sugars become too high and can damage the body. Treatment always includes increasing activity and sticking to a food plan.

There are three main types of diabetes.

Pre-Diabetes and Type 1 Diabetes

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-Diabetes is a milder form of Diabetes that is sometimes called Impaired Glucose Tolerance. It can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.

  • Blood sugar level is higher than normal
  • Often there are no symptoms
  • In certain populations (Hispanic, Native Americans and African Americans) a sign of Pre-Diabetes can be Acanthosis Nigricans, which is a skin disorder characterized by dark, thick, velvety skin in body folds and in creases

  • Likely to become Type 2 Diabetes within 10 years
  • Ability to turn life around and keep yourself from developing Type 2 Diabetes
  • 57 million people in the United States have Pre-Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

Usually diagnosed in children, most commonly between the ages of 6-12 years and young adults, known as Juvenile Diabetes.

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination
  • Extreme hunger
  • Weight loss despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger
  • Fatigue: If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable
  • Blurred vision: If your blood sugar level is too high, fluid may be pulled from your tissue.

  • Previously called Juvenile Diabetes and Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
  • Pancreas doesn’t allow insulin production needed to turn sugar into energy
  • No cure right now, but with treatment can be managed
  • 5-10% of people with diabetes have Type 1

  • Decreases of the Pancreas: Injury or diseases of the pancreas, a gland located near the stomach that makes insulin, can inhibit the ability to produce insulin, which can lead to Type 1 Diabetes.
  • Infection or Illness: A range of relatively rare infections or illnesses can damage the pancreas and cause Type 1 Diabetes.
  • Immunosuppression or Auto Immune Response: Immunosuppression involves an act that reduces the activation or efficacy of the immune system, protects against diseases by identifying and killing pathogens. Auto immune response is the failure of an organism to recognize its own element as self, which allows a response against its own cells and tissues.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes was once known as adult on-set or noninsulin-dependent diabetes.

(often occurring only if blood sugars are quite high)

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Weight loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Fatigue
  • Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
  • Areas of darkened skin

  • Your body doesn’t metabolize sugar in the way it needs to for creating energy
  • Your body is resistant to the effects of insulin and if it does not produce insulin, there is not enough produced to maintain normal blood sugar levels
  • No cure right now, but with treatment can be managed
  • Most common form of diabetes, millions of American have it

  • Obesity or Being Overweight: The single best predictor of Type 2 Diabetes is being overweight or obese.
  • Insulin Resistance: Type 2 Diabetes often starts with cells that are resistance to insulin. That means they are unable to take in insulin as it moves glucose from blood into the cells. With insulin resistance, the pancreas has to work overly hard to produce enough insulin so the cells can get the energy they need. This involves a complex process that eventually leads to Type 2 Diabetes
  • Ethnic Background: Diabetes occurs more often in Hispanic/Latino Americans, African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders and Alaska natives.
  • High Blood Pressure: Hypertension or high blood pressure is a major risk factor for Diabetes. High blood pressure is generally defined as 140/90 mm Hg or higher.
  • History or Gestational Diabetes: Having Gestational Diabetes puts you at a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle: Exercising fewer than three times a week makes you more likely to develop Diabetes.
  • Family History: Have a family history increases your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
  • Age: Some doctors advise anyone over the age of 45 be tested for Diabetes. Increasing age put you at higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. It is also important to remember that people can develop Diabetes at any age. If you are over 45 years old and are overweight or if you have any symptoms of Diabetes, talk to your doctor about a simple screening test.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes occurs only during pregnancy. It affects the way the body uses sugar (glucose), the main source of fuel. Pregnant women are screened for Gestational Diabetes during weeks 24-28 of their pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes has no recognizable symptoms.

  • Affects the way the body uses sugar, which is the main source of fuel for the body
  • Usually short-term and can be managed. After delivery, blood sugar levels usually returns to normal

  • Being Obese or Overweight: Women who are obese or overweight are at higher risk of developing Gestational Diabetes.
  • Previous Glucose Intolerance: A history of glucose intolerance or previous Gestational Diabetes increases the risk of Gestational Diabetes in a current pregnancy.
  • Family History: A family history of Diabetes, a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed with diabetes increases the risk or Gestational Diabetes.
  • Age: The older a woman is when she becomes pregnant, the higher the risk of Gestational Diabetes.
  • High Birth Weight Baby: Having a child nine pounds or larger at birth can increase the risk of Gestational Diabetes.

Diabetes Education

Contact Information

Healthcare Options

Mywhportal Rgb White No Circle

Manage your health online…
at your convenience!