Diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: A lifelong condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes: Occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells become resistant to insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1.
Gestational diabetes occurs when high blood sugar develops during pregnancy but usually resolves after delivery.
Causes of Diabetes
Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas (located behind the stomach), regulates blood sugar levels.
When food is digested, insulin helps move glucose from the blood into cells, where it’s converted into energy.
In diabetes, the body struggles to convert glucose into energy, either because not enough insulin is produced or because the insulin doesn’t work properly.
While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented through lifestyle changes, type 2 diabetes risk can be reduced through healthy eating, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Factors that may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having an unhealthy diet
- A family history of type 2 diabetes
- Being of Asian, Black African, or African Caribbean descent
- Using certain medications, like long-term steroids
- Having high blood pressure
- Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy
