[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/know-the-facts-diabetes\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/know-the-facts-diabetes\/","headline":"Know the Facts About Diabetes","name":"Know the Facts About Diabetes","description":"Diabetes affects more than 30 million Americans. Learn essential facts about diabetes, including types, risk factors, and more.","datePublished":"2019-06-19","dateModified":"2021-10-07","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/endocrinology-regions","name":"Endocrinology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/endocrinology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/endocrinology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/diabetes_blg.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/diabetes_blg.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/know-the-facts-diabetes\/","about":["Family Health"],"wordCount":604,"keywords":["diabetes"],"articleBody":"An estimated 9 percent of Americans are living with diabetes \u2014 that’s about 30 million people. It’s important to learn the facts about diabetes so you can stay healthy. Here’s what you need to know about the condition, with expert insight from Mary Korytkowski, MD, an endocrinologist at UPMC.Diabetes: Know the TypesWhen you have diabetes, your body does one of two things: it either doesn’t make enough of a hormone called insulin, or it doesn’t use insulin properly. Insulin is what helps sugar enter your body’s cells, so diabetes causes sugar to remain in your blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage your body.The three most common types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, and gestational. “Type 1 was once known as juvenile diabetes, but it can occur in adults as well,” says Dr. Korytkowski.In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin, which means sugar can’t enter cells to provide energy. People with Type 1 diabetes usually need regular insulin injections.In Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent type of diabetes, the pancreas does produce insulin, but cells aren’t as responsive to it.Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and typically resolves after pregnancy. Like other forms of diabetes, it affects how your body uses sugar, resulting in high blood glucose levels.Risk Factors for Diabetes“There is nothing that can be done to prevent Type 1 diabetes,” says Dr. Korytkowski. Risk factors for diabetes usually refer to Type 2 diabetes, which is preventable.You’re more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes if you:Are >45 years oldAre Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native AmericanAre overweight and\/or physically inactiveHave a history of diabetes in your familyHave had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birthHave a history of gestational diabetesHave high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and\/or low HDL cholesterolHave a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome, stroke, or heart diseaseNot everyone with diabetes has symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:Blurry visionCuts or sores that don’t heal wellExtreme fatigueFrequent urinationIncreased hungerIncreased thirstNumbness or tingling in the hands or feetWeight lossDetermining the Diagnosis“A major concern with Type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Korytkowski says, “is that a lot of people don’t know they have it.” That’s why it’s important to visit your doctor if you think you might have the disease. The best way to learn whether you have diabetes is through a blood glucose test. This test measures the number of milligrams (mg) of glucose in a deciliter (dL) of blood. Doctors may also use a blood test called A1C, which provides an average of your blood glucose levels over the past 3 months.Doctors typically diagnose people with diabetes if they:Have a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg\/dL or higherHave a blood glucose level of 200 mg\/dL or higher after drinking a special sugar solution (an oral glucose tolerance test)Have an A1C level of 6.5 percent or higherIf you’re living with diabetes, you and your doctor will develop a plan to manage your blood glucose levels, keeping them as close to normal as possible:Between 70 to 130 mg\/dL during the day before eatingLess than 180 mg\/dl after meals (1-2 hours after meals)If you believe you have diabetes, are at risk for developing diabetes, or are having difficulty managing your diabetes, it is best to consult your doctor.If you have questions about full, in-network access to UPMC doctors and hospitals, please call our help line at 1-855-646-8762."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2019","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Know the Facts About Diabetes","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/know-the-facts-diabetes\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]