DIABETES BASICS
Note: Not every detail about diabetes is covered. Please let us know in “Get Involved” if there is a specific detail that you’d like to learn about.
Insulin: “a hormone made in your pancreas that helps your body use glucose (sugar).” – Cleveland Clinic. Insulin helps the glucose in your bloodstream get to your body’s cells, which gives you energy.
PREDIABETES
You have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. You can bring your blood sugar levels back to normal by eating healthier foods, participating in daily physical activities, and maintaining a healthy weight.
TYPE 1
- An autoimmune condition.
- Your immune system destroys and attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Your body can’t make insulin at all.
- Treated by taking insulin.
- Often diagnosed in childhood.
TYPE 2
- Your body won’t use insulin properly, resulting in a state known as insulin resistance. To compensate, your body makes more and more insulin, but over time, your pancreas gets overworked and starts producing less, and possibly no insulin at all.
- It can sometimes be treated without insulin or other medications.
- The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases as you age.