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Everything You Need to

Know About Diabetes
Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By
Stephanie Watson — Updated on Dec 12, 2022

Types Prediabetes Symptoms Causes

Risk factors Complications Treatment Diet
Exercise Diagnosis Prevention
In pregnancy In children Takeaway

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic

disease that causes high blood sugar.
Your body either doesn’t make
enough insulin or can’t effectively use
the insulin it makes.

The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood

into your cells to be stored or used for energy. If
this malfunctions, you may have diabetes.

Untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can

damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other
organs. But educating yourself about diabetes
and taking steps to prevent or manage it can help
you protect your health.
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Types of diabetes
There are a few different types of diabetes:

Type 1: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune

disease. The immune system attacks and
destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin
is made. It’s unclear what causes this attack.

Type 2: Type 2 diabetes occurs when your

body becomes resistant to insulin, and sugar
builds up in your blood. It’s the most
common type—about 90% to 95% ! of
people living with diabetes have type 2.

Type 1.5: Type 1.5 diabetes is also known as

latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
It occurs during adulthood and sets in
gradually like type 2 diabetes. LADA is an
autoimmune disease that cannot be treated
by diet or lifestyle.

Gestational: Gestational diabetes is high

blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-
blocking hormones produced by the
placenta cause this type of diabetes.

A rare condition called diabetes insipidus is not

related to diabetes mellitus, although it has a
similar name. It’s a different condition in which
your kidneys remove too much fluid from your
body.

Each type of diabetes has unique symptoms,

causes, and treatments.

Learn more about how these types differ from one

another.

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Prediabetes
Prediabetes is the term that’s used when your
blood sugar is higher than expected, but it’s not
high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. It
occurs when the cells in your body don’t respond
to insulin the way they should. This can lead to
type 2 diabetes down the road.

Experts suggest that more than 1 in 3 Americans !

have prediabetes, but over 80% ! of people with
prediabetes don’t even know it.
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Symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes symptoms are caused by rising blood
sugar.

General symptoms

The symptoms of type 1, type 2, and type 1.5

(LADA) are the same, but they occur in a shorter
period than types 2 and 1.5. In type 2, the onset
tends to be slower. Tingling nerves and slow-
healing sores are more common in type 2.

Left untreated, type 1, in particular, can lead to

diabetic ketoacidosis. This is when there is a
dangerous level of ketones in the body. It’s less
common in other types of diabetes, but still
possible.

The general symptoms of diabetes include:

increased hunger

increased thirst

weight loss

frequent urination

blurry vision

extreme fatigue

sores that don’t heal

Symptoms in men

In addition to the general symptoms of diabetes,

men with diabetes may have:

a decreased sex drive

erectile dysfunction

poor muscle strength

Symptoms in women

Women with diabetes can have symptoms such

as:

vaginal dryness

urinary tract infections

yeast infections

dry, itchy skin

Gestational diabetes

Most people who develop gestational diabetes

don’t have any symptoms. Healthcare
professionals often detect the condition during a
routine blood sugar test or oral glucose tolerance
test, which is usually performed between the 24th
and 28th weeks of pregnancy.

In rare cases, a person with gestational diabetes

will also experience increased thirst or urination.

The bottom line

Diabetes symptoms can be so mild that they’re

hard to spot at first. Learn which signs should
prompt a trip to the doctor.

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Causes of diabetes
Different causes are associated with each type of
diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes type 1

diabetes. For some reason, the immune system
mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing
beta cells in the pancreas.

Genes may play a role in some people. It’s also

possible that a virus sets off an immune system
attack.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes stems from a combination of

genetics and lifestyle factors. Having overweight
or obesity increases your risk, too. Carrying extra
weight, especially in your belly, makes your cells
more resistant to the effects of insulin on your
blood sugar.

This condition runs in families. Family members

share genes that make them more likely to get
type 2 diabetes and to be overweight.

Type 1.5 diabetes

Type 1.5 is an autoimmune condition that occurs

when the pancreas is attacked by your own
antibodies. as in type 1. It may be genetic, but
more research is needed.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs as the result of

hormonal changes during pregnancy. The
placenta produces hormones that make a
pregnant person’s cells less sensitive to the
effects of insulin. This can cause high blood sugar
during pregnancy.

People who are overweight when they get

pregnant or who gain too much weight during
pregnancy are more likely to get gestational
diabetes.

The bottom line

Both genes and environmental factors play a role

in triggering diabetes.

Get more information on the causes of diabetes.

Diabetes risk factors

Certain factors increase your risk for diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

You’re more likely to get type 1 diabetes if you’re

a child or teenager, you have a parent or sibling
with the condition, or you carry certain genes that
are linked to the disease.

Type 2 diabetes

Your risk for type 2 diabetes increases if you:

are overweight

are age 45 or older

have a parent or sibling with the condition

aren’t physically active

have had gestational diabetes

have prediabetes

have high blood pressure, high cholesterol,

or high triglycerides

Type 2 diabetes also disproportionately affects

certain racial and ethnic populations.

Adults who have African American, Hispanic or

Latino American, or Asian American ancestry are
more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
than white adults, according to 2016 research.
They’re also more likely to experience decreased
quality of care and increased barriers to self-
management.

Type 1.5 diabetes

Type 1.5 diabetes is found in adults over 30 and is

often mistaken for type 2, but people with this
condition are not necessarily overweight, and oral
medications and lifestyle changes have no effect.

Gestational diabetes

Your risk for gestational diabetes increases if you:

are overweight

are over age 25

had gestational diabetes during a past

pregnancy

have given birth to a baby weighing more

than 9 pounds

have a family history of type 2 diabetes

have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

The bottom line

Your family history, environment, and preexisting

medical conditions can all affect your odds of
developing diabetes.

Find out which risks you can control and which

ones you can’t.
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Diabetes complications
High blood sugar damages organs and tissues
throughout your body. The higher your blood
sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater
your risk for complications.

Complications associated with diabetes include:

heart disease, heart attack, and stroke

neuropathy

nephropathy

retinopathy and vision loss

hearing loss

foot damage, such as infections and sores

that don’t heal

skin conditions, such as bacterial and fungal

infections

depression

dementia

Gestational diabetes

Unmanaged gestational diabetes can lead to

problems that affect both the mother and baby.
Complications affecting the baby can include:

premature birth

higher-than-typical weight at birth

increased risk for type 2 diabetes later in life

low blood sugar

jaundice

stillbirth

A pregnant person with gestational diabetes can

develop complications such as high blood
pressure (preeclampsia) or type 2 diabetes. You
may also require cesarean delivery, commonly
referred to as a C-section.

The risk of gestational diabetes in future

pregnancies also increases.

The bottom line

Diabetes can lead to serious medical

complications, but you can manage the condition
with medications and lifestyle changes.

Avoid the most common diabetes complications

with these helpful tips.

Treatment of diabetes
Doctors treat diabetes with a few different
medications. Some are taken by mouth, while
others are available as injections.

Type 1 and 1.5 diabetes

Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 and 1.5

diabetes. It replaces the hormone your body isn’t
able to produce.

Various types of insulin are commonly used by

people with type 1 and 1.5 diabetes. They differ in
how quickly they start to work and how long their
effects last:

Rapid-acting insulin: starts to work within 15

minutes and its effects last for 2 to 4 hours

Short-acting insulin: starts to work within 30

minutes and lasts 3 to 6 hours

Intermediate-acting insulin: starts to work

within 2 to 4 hours and lasts 12 to 18 hours

Long-acting insulin: starts to work 2 hours

after injection and lasts up to 24 hours

Ultra-long acting insulin: starts to work 6

hours after injection and lasts 36 hours or
more

Premixed insulin: starts working within 15 to

30 minutes (depending on whether a rapid-
acting or short-acting insulin is part of the
mix) and lasts 10 to 16 hours

Type 2 diabetes

Diet and exercise can help some people manage

type 2 diabetes. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough
to lower your blood sugar, you’ll need to take
medication.

These drugs lower your blood sugar in a variety of

ways:

Drug How it works Example

slow your body’s

acarbose
alpha-glucosidase breakdown of
(Precose) an
inhibitors sugars and
miglitol
starchy foods

reduce the
metformin
amount of
biguanides (Glucophage
glucose your liver
Riomet)
makes

alogliptin (Ne
linagliptin
improve your
(Tradjenta),
blood sugar
DPP-4 inhibitors saxagliptin
without making it
(Onglyza), an
drop too low
sitagliptin
(Januvia)

semaglutide
(Ozempic),
stimulate your
dulaglutide
pancreas to
glucagon-like (Trulicity),
produce more
peptides exenatide
insulin; slow
(Byetta), and
stomach emptying
liraglutide
(Victoza)

stimulate your
pancreas to nateglinide a
meglitinides
release more repaglinide
insulin

canagliflozin
(Invokana),
release more
dapagliflozin
SGLT2 inhibitors glucose into the
(Farxiga), and
urine
empagliflozin
(Jardiance)

glyburide
stimulate your (Glynase),
pancreas to glipizide
sulfonylureas
release more (Glucotrol), a
insulin glimepiride
(Amaryl)

pioglitazone
help insulin work
thiazolidinediones (Actos) and
better
rosiglitazone

You may need to take more than one of these

medications. Some people with type 2 diabetes
also take insulin.

Gestational diabetes

If you receive a diagnosis of gestational diabetes,

you’ll need to monitor your blood sugar level
several times per day during pregnancy. If it’s
high, dietary changes and exercise may be
enough to bring it down.

Research has found that about 15% to 30% ! of

women who develop gestational diabetes will
need insulin to lower their blood sugar. Insulin is
safe for the developing baby.

The bottom line

The treatment regimen your doctor recommends

will depend on the type of diabetes you have and
its cause.

Check out this list of the various medications that

are available to treat diabetes.
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Diabetes and diet

Healthy eating is a central part of managing
diabetes. In some cases, changing your diet may
be enough to manage the disease.

Types 1 and 1.5 diabetes

Your blood sugar level rises or falls based on the

types of foods you eat. Starchy or sugary foods
make blood sugar levels rise rapidly. Protein and
fat cause more gradual increases.

Your medical team may recommend that you limit

the amount of carbohydrates you eat each day.
You’ll also need to balance your carb intake with
your insulin doses. Counting carbs helps to
balance the carb intake with the insulin doses.

Check out this guide to starting a type 1 diabetes

diet.

Type 2 diabetes

Eating the right types of foods can both manage

your blood sugar and help you lose any excess
weight.

Carb counting is an important part of eating for

type 2 diabetes. A dietitian can help you figure
out how many grams of carbohydrates to eat at
each meal.

In order to keep your blood sugar levels steady,

try to eat small meals throughout the day.
Emphasize healthy foods such as:

fruits

vegetables

whole grains

lean protein such as poultry and fish

healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts

Certain other foods can hurt efforts to manage
your blood sugar.

Discover the foods you should avoid if you have

diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

Eating a well-balanced diet is important for both

you and your baby during these 9 months. Making
the right food choices can also help you avoid
diabetes medications.

Watch your portion sizes, and limit sugary or salty

foods. Although you need some sugar to feed
your growing baby, you should avoid eating too
much. Check out other do’s and don’ts for healthy
eating with gestational diabetes.

The bottom line

Work with a registered dietitian if you have access

to one. They can help you design an
individualized diabetes meal plan. Getting the
right balance of protein, fat, and carbs can help
you manage your blood sugar.

Diabetes and exercise

Along with diet and treatment, exercise plays an
essential role in diabetes management. This is
true for all types of diabetes.

Staying active helps your cells react to insulin

more effectively and lower your blood sugar
levels. Exercising regularly can also help you:

reach and maintain a healthy weight

reduce your risk of diabetes-related health

complications

boost mood

get better sleep

improve memory

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, general

guidance is to aim for at least 150 minutes of
moderate-intensity exercise each week. There are
currently no separate exercise guidelines for
people who have gestational diabetes. But if
you’re pregnant, start out slowly and gradually
increase your activity level over time to avoid
overdoing it.

Diabetes-friendly exercises include:

walking

swimming

dancing

cycling

Talk with your doctor about safe ways to

incorporate activity into your diabetes
management plan. You may need to follow
special precautions, like checking your blood
sugar before and after working out and making
sure to stay hydrated.

Consider working with a personal trainer or

exercise physiologist who has experience
working with people who have diabetes. They can
help you develop a personalized workout plan
tailored to your needs.
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Diabetes diagnosis
Anyone who has symptoms of diabetes or is at
risk for the condition should be tested. People are
routinely tested for gestational diabetes during
their second trimester or third trimester of
pregnancy.

Doctors use these blood tests to diagnose

prediabetes and diabetes:

The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test

measures your blood sugar after you’ve
fasted for 8 hours.

The A1C test provides a snapshot of your

blood sugar levels over the previous 3
months.

A 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test is also

used. This checks the BG 2 hours after
ingesting a sugary drink containing 75 grams
of carbs.

How to diagnose gestational diabetes

To diagnose gestational diabetes, your doctor will

test your blood sugar levels between the 24th
week and 28th week of pregnancy. There are two
types of tests:

Glucose challenge test: During a glucose

challenge test, your blood sugar is checked
an hour after you drink a sugary liquid. If
your results are standard, no more testing is
done. If blood sugar levels are high, you’ll
need to undergo a glucose tolerance test.

Glucose tolerance test: During a glucose

tolerance test, your blood sugar is checked
after you fast overnight. Then you’re given a
sugary drink and your blood sugar is re-
tested after 1 hour and again after 2 hours.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed if any of
these three readings come back noting high
blood sugar.

The earlier you are diagnosed with diabetes, the

sooner you can start treatment. Find out whether
you should get tested, and get more information
on tests your doctor might perform.

If you don’t already have a primary care specialist,

you can browse doctors in your area through the
Healthline FindCare tool.

Diabetes prevention
Type 1 and type 1.5 diabetes are not preventable
because they are caused by an issue with the
immune system. Some causes of type 2 diabetes,
such as your genes or age, aren’t under your
control either.

Yet many other diabetes risk factors are

manageable. Most diabetes prevention strategies
involve making simple adjustments to your diet
and fitness routine.

If you’ve received a diagnosis of prediabetes,

here are a few things you can do to delay or
prevent type 2 diabetes:

Get at least 150 minutes per week of aerobic

exercises like walking or cycling.

Cut saturated and trans fats, along with

refined carbohydrates, out of your diet.

Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole

grains.

Eat smaller portions.

Try to lose 5% to 7% ! of your body weight if

you have overweight or obesity.

These aren’t the only ways to prevent diabetes.

Discover more strategies that may help you avoid
this chronic health condition.
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Diabetes in pregnancy
People who’ve never had diabetes can suddenly
develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Hormones produced by the placenta can make
your body more resistant to the effects of insulin.

Pre-gestational diabetes

People can have diabetes before they conceive

and carry it with them into pregnancy. This is
called pre-gestational diabetes.

Risks to your newborn

Diabetes during pregnancy can lead to

complications for your newborn, such as jaundice
or breathing problems.

If you’re diagnosed with pre-gestational or

gestational diabetes, you’ll need special
monitoring to prevent complications.

Does gestational diabetes disappear on

its own?

Gestational diabetes should go away after you

deliver, but it does significantly increase your risk
of getting diabetes later. About half ! of people
with gestational diabetes will go on to develop
type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes in children
Children can get both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Managing blood sugar is especially important in
young people because diabetes can damage
important organs such as the heart and kidneys.

Type 1 diabetes

The autoimmune form of diabetes often starts in

childhood. One of the main symptoms is
increased urination. Kids with type 1 diabetes may
start wetting the bed after they’ve been toilet
trained.

Extreme thirst, fatigue, and hunger are also signs

of the condition. It’s important that children with
type 1 diabetes get treatment right away. The
condition can cause high blood sugar,
dehydration, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA),
which can be medical emergencies.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile

diabetes because type 2 was so rare in children.
Now that more children have overweight or
obesity, type 2 diabetes is becoming more
common in this age group.

Some children living with type 2 diabetes don’t

experience symptoms. Others may experience:

increased thirst

frequent urination

extreme fatigue

blurry vision

Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed based on

medical history, a physical exam, and bloodwork.

Untreated type 2 diabetes can cause lifelong

complications, including heart disease, kidney
disease, and blindness. Healthy eating and
exercise can help your child manage their blood
sugar and prevent these problems.

Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent than ever in

young people. Learn how to spot the signs so you
can report them to your child’s doctor.
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Takeaway
Some types of diabetes — like types 1 and 1.5 —
are caused by factors that are out of your control.
Others — like type 2 — can be prevented by
making better food choices, increasing activity,
and losing weight.

Discuss potential diabetes risks with your doctor.

If you’re at risk, have your blood sugar tested and
follow your doctor’s advice for managing your
blood sugar.

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Last medically reviewed on December 11, 2022

How we reviewed this article:

SOURCES HISTORY

Our experts continually monitor the health and

wellness space, and we update our articles when
new information becomes available.
Current Version

Dec 12, 2022

Written By
Stephanie Watson

Edited By
John Bassham

Medically Reviewed By
Kelly Wood, MD

Copy Edited By
Connor Rice

Aug 12, 2022

Written By
Stephanie Watson

Edited By
Kerry Weiss

Medically Reviewed By
Marina Basina, MD

Copy Edited By
Chris Doka

VIEW ALL HISTORY !

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