What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood sugar, also called blood glucose, is too high. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t create enough insulin, or when your body is not responding to the effects of insulin properly (also called insulin resistance). Most forms of diabetes are chronic (lifelong) and all types can be managed with lifestyle changes and/or medications.
Diabetes prevention
Diabetes self-management
Types of diabetes
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes. Having prediabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Making lifestyle changes, such eating healthier, getting more physical activity, and reducing stress can help prevent type 2 diabetes.
UGA Extension’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is specifically designed for adults who have prediabetes and can help participants form healthy lifestyle habits that last. To learn more about prediabetes visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, in which your immune system mistakenly destroys beta cells in your pancreas that create insulin. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of diabetes cases in the U.S. and is typically diagnosed in young people, though it can develop in anyone at any age. Treatment and management of type 1 diabetes will include taking insulin, physical activity, and healthy eating to support blood sugar management. UGA’s Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) program is an education and support program designed for adults who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, that can help participants practice self-care behaviors to better manager their diabetes and prevent diabetes-related complications. To learn more about type 1 diabetes visit the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body does not use insulin properly (also called insulin resistance). At first, beta cells in your pancreas make extra insulin to compensate, however, overtime the pancreas can’t sustain making enough insulin to keep your blood sugar at normal levels. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases in the U.S. and develops most often in adults but is starting to increase among young people. Treatment and management of type 2 diabetes will include lifestyle changes, including eating healthier, getting more physical activity, and reducing stress. Your healthcare team may also prescribe medications (including insulin) to help you manage your blood sugar levels. UGA’s Health Extension for Diabetes (HED) program is an education and support program designed for adults who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, that can help participants practice self-care behaviors to better manager their diabetes and prevent diabetes-related complications. To learn more about type 2 diabetes visit the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. GDM can occur in mothers that did not have diabetes prior to becoming pregnant and usually resolves after giving birth. The exact cause of GDM remains unknown, but it is known that hormones from the mother’s placenta can interfere with insulin effectiveness, resulting in insulin resistance. Mothers with GDM are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later on in life. To learn about GDM and its treatment talk to your healthcare provider and visit the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
