Diabetes is a condition where the body can’t make insulin, or can’t use it well. Insulin is a hormone that helps our bodies get energy from the glucose in the food we eat. Without it, glucose levels in the blood stream are too high. Over time, this can cause damage to your body tissue and organs.

There are three main types of diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes can affect anyone, but most often it develops in children or young adults. People with this type of diabetes produce very little insulin, or none at all.
• Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. People with type 2 diabetes either make too little insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
• Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a form of diabetes that appears during pregnancy. While GDM usually goes away after pregnancy, it puts women and their babies at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

To learn more about diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association website at diabetes.org.

Prevention

Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented. But healthy habits can help lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

• Get to or stay at a healthy body weight.
• Exercise each day, for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Make healthy choices about food.
• Quit smoking.
• Get the right amount of sleep.

Talk to your doctor about your risk factors, and what you can do to lower your risk.