November is American Diabetes Month, a time to get educated, find patient resources, and make sure your friends, family, and colleagues are all aware of their risk, too. For the millions of Americans with diabetes, American Diabetes Month is an opportunity to actively support others who are living with this disease, whether they are newly diagnosed or diabetes veterans. The first step in raising awareness is understanding the disease you’re dealing with. Here are some brief explanations of the different types of diabetes and what they mean.

Diabetes Type 1

While type 1 diabetes, previously known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, it can actually develop at any age. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which your pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone your body needs to allow sugar into your cells to produce energy.

Various factors, such as genetics and certain viruses, can increase your risk for type 1 diabetes. 

Since there is currently no cure, treatment focuses on controlling your blood sugar levels with insulin injections, diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes to prevent health complications. With proper disease management, your life can be as full and rich as you want it to be. 

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mostly occurs in adults and is the most common form of diabetes in the U.S. As with type 1 diabetes, having type 2 means that your body isn’t metabolizing insulin properly. Diet and exercise are sometimes enough to manage blood glucose (sugar) levels, though some may need insulin or medications to regulate them and sustain healthy levels over time.  

You might want to work with a dietician or nutritionist to create a food plan that provides the nutrients you need and helps you feel satisfied, while avoiding the sugars and empty calories that could worsen your condition. 

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy, even in women who don’t already have an increased need for insulin. Every year, up to 10% of pregnancies in the U.S. are affected by this condition. Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can’t make enough insulin during your pregnancy, when your body is already undergoing multiple physical and chemical changes. 

These changes can cause insulin resistance or less effective use of your available insulin. All pregnant women experience some insulin resistance during the later stages of pregnancy. Some women need up to three times more insulin to compensate for the resistance.

The cause of gestational diabetes is uncertain, but, like other forms of diabetes, it is manageable, and often disappears after childbirth. It’s critical to treat this form of diabetes quickly, however, as the condition can potentially harm both you and your baby.

Diabetes from Other Causes

A small number of people may develop diabetes due to other causes, including: 

• Monogenic diabetes syndromes, such as neonatal diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY)
• Cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, and similar diseases of the exocrine pancreas
• Drug- or chemical-induced diabetes, which can occur after organ transplantation, or with glucocorticoid use or HIV/AIDS treatments

Because these types of diabetes are rare, they are often misdiagnosed. If you think you might have one of these types, speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

Prediabetes

Most people who develop type 2 diabetes begin with prediabetes–blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes can be outwardly asymptomatic, so you may not know that you are teetering on the edge of developing diabetes. If you are at risk, contact your doctor and get tested. It may be early enough to halt the progression and return your blood sugar to healthy levels. Even small changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking, can have major benefits. 

When a Loved One Is Diagnosed with Diabetes

Receiving news that a loved one, especially a child, has diabetes can be upsetting, but know that diabetes can be managed successfully if the patient follows the doctor’s instructions and adheres to the recommended treatment. If you are a parent, there are also steps that you can take to actively support your child’s management of their diabetes and help them continue to live a normal, active life. Some tips include:

• Make physical activity a part of every day, including things you can do together. 
• Create a balanced diet for your child, preferably one that the whole household can share and embrace so that your child doesn’t feel singled out. 
• Model a positive attitude for your child regarding their diagnosis; they’ll take their cues from you.

Diabetes doesn’t have to prevent your child from enjoying life and achieving their goals. 

Many actors, artists, athletes, musicians, educators, scientists, and business tycoons live with diabetes, and you wouldn’t know it. Diabetes didn’t hold them back, and it doesn’t have to hold you or your loved ones back, either. 

The American Diabetes Association offers many options for raising diabetes awareness, not just during November but throughout the whole year. Get involved and show your support today!

*American Diabetes Association. (2021). November is American Diabetes Month. https://www.diabetes.org/community/american-diabetes-month