Types of Diabetes

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is when a person’s blood glucose is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Approximately 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes but most do not know they have it. If you have ever been told you have prediabetes now is the time to take action. Modest lifestyle changes can reverse prediabetes. Losing 5-7% of your weight and exercising for 150 minutes per week have shown to greatly reduce a person’s risk.

Take the first step to determine if you are at an increased risk for diabetes by completing the prediabetes risk test.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, but it can develop at any age. It is less common than type 2 diabetes and currently there are no known ways to prevent it. If a person has type 1 diabetes, their body does not make insulin and therefore, they have to take insulin shots or wear an insulin pump every day. Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

• Urinating often
• Thirsty
• Hungry
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Trouble seeing

Type 2 diabetes

Most people who have diabetes have type 2. Type 2 diabetes is usually found in people over age 45 but more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include having someone in your family with diabetes, being overweight, getting little to no exercise, and having diabetes while pregnant. Certain racial and ethnic groups are at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes. These include African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, and Alaska Native.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop over a long period of time and some people never notice any symptoms. It is important to know your risks and talk to your doctor about having your blood sugar tested.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy. Similar to other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes means there is too much glucose in your blood which is not good for you or your baby. Anyone can get gestational diabetes but factors that increase a person’s risk include:

• Over age 25
• Overweight
• Family member with diabetes
• History of prediabetes
• Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• High blood pressure, cholesterol, or heart disease
• Hispanic/Latina, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, or Pacific Islander

If you are planning a pregnancy or are currently pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your risks. A blood test to check for gestational diabetes is normally performed as part of regular pre-natal checkups. You may require additional test or monitoring if you develop gestational diabetes.