Diabetes
Without ongoing, careful management, diabetes can lead to glucose buildup in the blood, which can increase the risk of dangerous complications, including stroke and heart disease.
Different kinds of diabetes can occur. How people manage the condition depends on the type. Not all forms of diabetes stem from diet or inactivity. Some are present from childhood.
The most common types of diabetes include type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, which we cover in more detail below.
Type 1 diabetes
Also known as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce insulin.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for breaking down the sugar in the blood for use throughout the body. A person living with type 1 diabetes may receiveTrusted Source a diagnosis during childhood.
People living with type 1 diabetes need to regularlyTrusted Source administer insulin. Individuals may do this with injections or an insulin pump.
There is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Once a person receives their diagnosis, they need to regularly monitor their blood sugar levels, administer insulin, and follow some lifestyle strategies to help manage the condition.
Successfully managing blood sugar levels can help people living with type 1 diabetes avoid serious complications.
With type 2 diabetes, the body does not make or use insulin effectively.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Trusted Source, type 2 diabetes is the most common type. It has a strong link with obesity.
A person living with type 2 diabetes may or may not need insulin. In many cases, medication, along with exercise and diet strategies, can help manage the condition.
Anyone, including children and adults, can develop type 2 diabetes.
Learn about the early signs of type 2 diabetes.
Other types of diabetes
- Monogenic diabetes: In this form, a single gene change causes the condition to develop. There are two main types of monogenic diabetes: neonatal diabetes mellitus and maturity onset diabetes of the young.
- Type 3c diabetes: This type of diabetes, which people may also call pancreatogenic diabetes, can result fromTrusted Source damage to the pancreas following surgery to remove the organ, injury, or illnesses, like pancreatitis.
- Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes: People living with cystic fibrosis may develop this type of diabetes as a complication of the condition.