Although the cause for diabetes continues to elude scientists, we know that it is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles in the onset of diabetes in many Americans.
Diabetes is common across the United States, but unfortunately many individuals are unaware that they are even carrying the disease.
There are two main tests to diagnose whether someone has diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG)
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
Listed below are the 4 primary types of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over.
Pre-diabetes
Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. An estimated 41 million U.S. adults ages 40 to 74 have prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the condition isn't a concern only for adults. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that one of every 10 males and one of every 25 females ages 12 to 19 have prediabetes.