Type 1

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.

Having type 1 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications, including: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage.

People with Type 1 diabetes can live long, happy lives; the key is taking care of yourself. Make it a priority to take good care of your body. The time you spend now on eye care, foot care and skin care, as well as your heart health and oral health, could delay or prevent the onset of dangerous type 1 diabetes complications later in life. Some of the best things you can do for your body are to stop smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.

Type 2

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin (known as insulin resistance). Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar; sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, your cells may be starved for energy, and over time you can have problems with your eyes, kidneys, nerves, or heart.

Type 2 diabetes is lifestyle related. Physical inactivity, obesity (particularly excess abdominal fat), and poor dietary habits contribute to the development of the disease. You have the power to prevent it by taking care of yourself! And if you already have the disease, you can effectively manage it by increasing physical activity, improving your dietary habits, and reducing your body fat.

Pre-Diabetes

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "pre-diabetes" -- blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are 41 million people in the United States, ages 40 to 74, who have pre-diabetes. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during pre-diabetes.

If you take action to manage your blood glucose when you have pre-diabetes, research has shown you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from ever developing.

If you know your risks for pre-diabetes, you can take action to prevent diabetes. People with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity. They may even be able to return their blood glucose levels to the normal range.

Source: American Diabetes Association