Diabetes Overview

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is necessary to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy.

What are the different types of diabetes?

Type 1
Previously referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, type 1 almost always develops in children. In people with type 1 diabetes, they cannot produce insulin and must inject or pump insulin into their body to stay alive. It's estimated that 5 to 10% of Americans who are diagnosed have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2
Previously referred to as Adult Onset, type 2 now occurs in both children and adults. People with type 2 are insulin resistant – condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin. 90 to 95% of Americans with diabetes have type 2.

Gestational
This condition is normally temporary and affects about 4% of all pregnant women – about 135,000 cases in the United States each year. Women who develop gestational diabetes are prone to developing type 2 later in life.

Pre-diabetes
This is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Source: American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)