Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin, or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.
While there isn’t a cure yet for diabetes, losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can help. Other things you can do include:
- Take medicine as prescribed.
- Get diabetes self-management education and support.
- Make and keep health care appointments.
Types of Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant).
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body does not make insulin. This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need to take insulin every day to survive. Currently, there is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. You also have trouble keeping blood sugar levels normal. About 90–95% of people with diabetes have type 2.
You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood; however, this type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as:
- Losing weight
- Eating healthy food
- Being active
Gestational Diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)
Gestational diabetes develops in some women during pregnancy. This type of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born. However, it can increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
According to the CDC, gestational diabetes can increase the baby’s risk of obesity as a child or teen and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Resources for diabetes prevention and management
С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Minority Diabetes Prevention Program
The С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Minority Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is a 12-month class designed to help lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, increase physical activity, and reduce stress. Participants learn lifestyle changes at no cost.
About the Program
Who is eligible?
This program is for minorities who have prediabetes.
Is there a cost for my participation in the program?
No, this is a free program for all eligible participants!
How long is the program?
MDPP is a 12-month program that meets weekly for the first 6 months and monthly for the last 6 months.
How long is each session?
Each session is one hour.
What will I do in the sessions?
The participants will interact with each other and the wellness coach to discuss different topics that will help you to lose weight, be more active, and prevent or delay your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
What is expected of me?
Participants are expected to:
- Attend all sessions.
- Lose 5% to 7% of starting body weight.
- Engage in 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
When is my wellness coach available?
In addition to each session, participants can contact the wellness coach to discuss personal health at any time.