There are different types of diabetes and the names have changed
over the years so you may not know your type. During clinic
appointments many people have said they are “on the border.” To them
“on the border” usually means they don’t take insulin. Most often
they have type 2 diabetes that is controlled by diet, exercise
and/or medication. Take a look below and see what’s your type.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that comes before diabetes. It means
that blood sugar levels are higher than normal but aren’t high
enough to be called diabetes. You can have pre-diabetes and not know
it. People with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by
losing weight and being physically active. FDL offers a Diabetes
Prevention Program. Participants must be 18 years of age and have a
diagnosis of pre-diabetes to be eligible. If you know someone who
may be interested they can call Chris at 878-3708.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a condition that causes high blood sugar
levels during pregnancy. Some women’s bodies are not able to make
enough insulin during pregnancy. When this happens, sugar can’t move
easily from the bloodstream into the cells. The mother’s blood sugar
level becomes too high, and the baby receives too much sugar.
Gestational diabetes can be treated with a food plan, activity, a
diabetes pill or insulin. The goal is to keep blood sugar levels in
the normal range so the baby will grow normally and do well during
delivery and afterward. Women who have gestational diabetes are at
risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
With type 1 diabetes, the body stops making insulin. This usually
occurs at a young age. People with type 1 diabetes will require
insulin for life because insulin is essential for using and storing
food. These people are usually lean and, if they did not have
insulin, would go into diabetic coma within a day or two. In the
past, this disease was called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
The proper name is now type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes have enough insulin early in the
disease, but their bodies are unable to use the insulin correctly to
lower blood sugar. They are insulin resistant. Many people with type
2 diabetes are able to control their blood sugar with diet and
exercise, and some take oral diabetes pills. In the past, this type
of diabetes was called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
The correct term is now type 2 diabetes. Many people with type 2
diabetes will need insulin, but they still have type 2 diabetes,
it's just insulin-requiring. Most people with type 2 diabetes are
overweight and more than 30 years old.
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