Kinds of Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in United States. This is a disease in which the body doesn’t properly use or don’t produce insulin at all.

Insulin is a hormone that largely affects the body’s metabolism. It converts sugar, starch, and other food to energy that is needed for everyday life.

Up until now, the cause of diabetes is still unknown but genetics and other factors such as unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical exercise appear to play big roles.

In United States, 7.8% of total population or 23.6 million people have diabetes. Unfortunately, according to American Diabetes Association, almost a quarter of them are still unaware that they are already suffering from this disease.

There are four types of diabetes.

The type 1 diabetes is characterized by failure of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas to produce the hormones. The hormone is needed to open the body cells so they can be fueled.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It is caused by the insulin resistance of the cell. In this case, the insulin is not properly used by the body.

The gestational diabetes is like type 2 diabetes. This commonly occurs to pregnant women. Though it resembles type 2 diabetes, this type of disease is completely curable but requires close medical supervision.

Pre-diabetes, on the hand, is condition that shows a increase in sugar level but not high enough to considered as type 2 diabetes.

Experts say that healthy diet and proper exercise may decrease the risk of diabetes.