Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by elevated levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar) or does not effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is necessary for cells to take in and use glucose for energy.
All About Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes:
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Type 1 diabetes: This type is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar levels.
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Type 2 diabetes: This type is the most common form of diabetes and typically develops later in life, although it is increasingly being diagnosed in younger individuals due to lifestyle factors. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin to meet the body's needs. It can often be managed with lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, weight management, and, in some cases, oral medications or insulin.
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Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth. It affects women who did not have diabetes before becoming pregnant. Gestational diabetes requires careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and may require dietary changes, physical activity, or insulin injections to keep blood sugar under control.
