Understanding Diabetes
Understanding Diabetes
Common Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, which is needed to convert sugar (glucose) from food into energy for most of the body’s cells.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body has trouble processing glucose (or sugar) from the bloodstream to use for energy. It means the body isn’t using insulin effectively, and it’s characterized by high blood sugar levels.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes occurs when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. It often has no symptoms.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes (also called GDM) occurs when unusually high blood sugar levels develop during pregnancy, which can cause health complications for the mother and the fetus.
Diabetes Management
Diabetes requires daily management, and the responsibility for that management typically falls to the person with the condition.
Diabetes Technology
Devices such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery systems monitor and help manage your blood sugar levels to try to stay within the target range, helping prevent complications of diabetes.
Diabetes Medications
Various medications work in different ways to lower blood glucose levels, and may even be used together to help meet your individualized diabetes goals.
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes increases the risk of developing several medical complications. Careful blood glucose management decreases the risk of these complications.
Diabetes Research
Experimental therapies, scientific findings, and new data and results in type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and beyond.