Type 1 Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes is most prevalent in children and young adults. Most type 1 diabetes occurs before the age of 14. Type 1 diabetes arises because of an autoimmune disorder, as the body's immune system is not functioning properly. With type 1 diabetes, the body believes that insulin is bad for it and creates antibodies to ward off "enemy" tissue, eliminating cells that create insulin. This shortage of insulin causes diabetes. In rarer instances, type 1 diabetes can also be caused by an injury to the pancreas or the removal of the pancreas.
  
  

Type 2 Diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects the way the human body deals with digested food for growth and strength. Type 2 diabetes is often connected to growing older, being overweight, eating poorly, and having high levels of bad cholesterol. Type 2 diabetes is caused because people have two difficulties with their insulin: Their muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use insulin properly, and the pancreas, a gland in the stomach, reduces its creation of insulin. These issues with insulin cause glucose to increase in the blood, pour into the urine, and pass out of the body so the body does not receive its main source of nourishment.
  
  

Gestational Diabetes

• Some females get gestational diabetes near the end of pregnancy. Most times, this type of diabetes disappears once the baby is born. However, someone who develops gestational diabetes will be more at risk for getting type 2 diabetes down the road. Gestational diabetes is caused by hormones during pregnancy that block the effect of insulin or the female body's not being able to produce enough insulin because of weight gain.
  
  

Prediabetes

• Prediabetes is a condition where someone's blood sugar level is considered high, but not high enough to be considered as having diabetes. Most people who have prediabetes do not know they have it or are in danger of developing diabetes. Prediabetes arises when the body does not respond normally to insulin and cannot keep blood glucose levels within normal range. When cells in the body cannot use glucose, the sugar then stays in the blood. Prediabetes is caused by this increase of sugar in the blood.
  
  

Prevention

• There is no way to prohibit type 1 diabetes. However, there are a few actions that can decrease the probability. Some physicians advise breastfeeding children who have parents, brothers, or sisters with diabetes and restricting infants' intake of cow's milk.
  
  Measures can be taken to prevent type 2 diabetes. Physical activity helps lower blood sugar and boosts sensitivity to insulin. Diet also plays an important role. Increasing your intake of fiber and whole grains, and losing weight can also help prevent diabetes. These same prevention methods also apply to prediabetes.
  
  For gestational diabetes, not much can be done for prevention. However, women who control their weight before getting pregnant may lower the risk. Complications of gestational diabetes can be safeguarded by watching blood sugar levels and careful monitoring them with an obstetrician during pregnancy.