(NewsNation) — More than 38 million Americans had diabetes in 2021, according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. It develops when blood sugar levels are too high, causing the pancreas to produce insufficient insulin.
Insulin, a hormone, regulates blood sugar levels, allowing cells to receive glucose, a type of sugar, from the bloodstream. Glucose is the body’s primary source of energy.
Multiple types of diabetes exist. Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes are the most common.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune disease that prevents the body from producing insulin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This causes sugar to build up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia.
People with Type 1 diabetes must inject insulin daily to manage blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes
Lifestyle and genetic factors can lead to Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes.
Like Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. However, Type 1 is caused by an autoimmune reaction, while obesity, lack of exercise and familial diagnoses contribute to Type 2.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy, when expecting mothers have high blood sugar levels.
Most people deliver healthy babies despite having gestational diabetes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The condition typically goes away after giving birth, but patients are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life if they have gestational diabetes.