There are three main types of diabetes:
diabetes type 1
5 to 10% of people with diabetes suffer from this type, and it is unknown how to prevent it.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction that prevents the pancreas from producing insulin. In general, the symptoms of diabetes 1 appear rapidly as it is diagnosed in children, teenagers, and young adults who need to take insulin every day to survive.
diabetes type 2
90 to 95% of people suffering from diabetes suffer from it.
The bodies of people with type 2 diabetes do not use insulin properly and cannot maintain blood sugar at normal levels, a process that progresses over several years and is usually diagnosed in adults (although it can (mostly in children, adolescents, and youth). Adult).
One characteristic of type 2 diabetes that works against us is not showing any symptoms, at least obvious ones, so it is important to analyze blood sugar levels periodically, or when you have the following risk factors. . risk:
- being overweight or obese
- be 45 years or older
- One parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes
- do physical activity less than three times a week
- have ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy), or the baby weighed more than 9 pounds at birth
If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, you can prevent or delay it by making healthy lifestyle changes, such as:
- maintain a healthy weight
- have a balanced diet
- do regular physical activity
gestational diabetes
This type of diabetes sometimes occurs in pregnant women who have never had diabetes, putting the baby at higher risk of health complications. Gestational diabetes usually disappears after delivery, although it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future, and makes the baby more likely to be obese in childhood or adolescence and develop type 2 diabetes later in life. increases.