Diabetes
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Diabetes - The path to understanding diabetes starts here.
No matter where you are in your fight, here’s where you need to be.
Whether you’ve been newly diagnosed, have been fighting against type 1 or type 2 diabetes for a while, or are helping a loved one, you’ve come to the right place. This is the start of gaining a deeper understanding of how you can live a healthier life—with all the tools, health tips, and food ideas you need. Wherever you’re at with your diabetes, know that you have options and that you don’t have to be held back. You can still live your best life. All you have to do is take action and stick with it. New to diabetes? Learn how diabetes is diagnosed.
Understanding Type 1
Here’s what you need to know about type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs at every age and in people of every race, shape, and size. There is no shame in having it, and you have a community of people ready to support you. Learning as much as you can about it and working closely with your diabetes care team can give you everything you need to thrive.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks down the carbohydrates you eat into blood glucose (blood sugar) that it uses for energy—and insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, everyone can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.
Remember: this is a condition that can be managed. By living a healthy lifestyle filled with exercise and proper diet, you can live a normal life and do everything you set out to do. Read More on Type 1
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
When you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system mistakenly treats the beta cells in your pancreas that create insulin as foreign invaders and destroys them. When enough beta cells are destroyed, your pancreas can’t make insulin or makes so little of it that you need to take insulin to live.Insulin is a hormone that helps blood glucose (blood sugar) enter your body’s cells so that it can be used as energy. If you have diabetes, blood glucose can’t enter your cells so it builds up in your bloodstream. This causes high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Over time, high blood glucose harms your body and can lead to diabetes-related complications if not treated.
Most of the time, type 1 diabetes is diagnosed in young people, but it can develop in anyone at any age. Scientists and researchers today aren’t sure how to prevent type 1 diabetes or what triggers it.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you can live a long, healthy life by having a strong support system and managing it with your diabetes care team. The treatment plan you develop with your diabetes care team will include insulin, physical activity, and an eating plan to reach your health goals.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
If you or your child have the following symptoms of diabetes, let your health care provider know. Symptoms include:
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Weight loss—even though you are eating more
It’s important to know when you first develop type 1 diabetes, you may not have any symptoms at all.
- Children with Type 1 Diabetes
- Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
- Learning Your Risk for Type 1 Diabetes
- Why Learning Your Risk Helps
Even though it’s easy to diagnose a child with diabetes by checking their blood glucose at the doctor’s office or emergency room, the tricky part is recognizing the symptoms and knowing to take your child to get checked. If you’re a parent, it’s important to know that young children, including infants, can develop type 1 diabetes.
Sometimes children can be in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) when they are diagnosed with diabetes. When there is a lack of insulin in the body, high levels of an acid called ketones can build up. DKA is a medical emergency that usually requires hospitalization and immediate care with insulin and IV fluids.
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes—and it means that your body doesn’t use insulin properly. And while some people can control their blood glucose levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to help manage it. Regardless, you have options—and we're here with the tools, resources, and support you need.
A key part of managing type 2 diabetes is maintaining a healthy diet. You need to eat something sustainable that helps you feel better and still makes you feel happy and fed. Remember, it’s a process. Work to find helpful tips and diet plans that best suit your lifestyle—and how you can make your nutritional intake work the hardest for you.
Fitness is another key to managing type 2. And the good news, all you have to do is get moving. The key is to find activities you love and do them as often as you can. No matter how fit you are, a little activity every day can help you put yourself in charge of your life. Read More on Type 2
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
The following symptoms of diabetes are typical. However, some people with type 2 diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.
Common symptoms of diabetes:
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet
Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing the complications of diabetes.
Although there are many similarities between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the cause of each is very different. And the treatment is usually quite different, too. Some people, especially adults who are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, may have symptoms similar to type 2 diabetes and this overlap between types can be confusing. Take our Risk Test to find out if you are at increased risk for having type 2 diabetes.
Maybe it’s a different type
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but isn’t responding well to the typical treatments for type 2 diabetes, it may be worth a visit to an endocrinologist to determine what type of diabetes is happening. Generally, this requires antibody tests and possibly the measurement of a C-peptide level.
Gestational diabetes
Women with gestational diabetes often have no symptoms, which is why it's important for at-risk women to be tested at the proper time during pregnancy. Learn more about Gestational Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes complications
Have you already been diagnosed with diabetes but are concerned about symptoms that may be the result of complications related to diabetes? Learn more about diabetes complications
Understanding Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes can be a scary diagnosis, but like other forms of diabetes, it’s one that you can manage. It doesn’t mean that you had diabetes before you conceived or that you will have diabetes after you give birth. It means that, by working with your doctor, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. No matter what, know that you have all the support you need for both you and your baby to be at your best.
We don’t know what causes gestational diabetes, but we know that you are not alone. It happens to millions of women. We do know that the placenta supports the baby as it grows. Sometimes, these hormones also block the action of the mother’s insulin to her body and it causes a problem called insulin resistance. This insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother’s body to use insulin. And this means that she may need up to three times as much insulin to compensate.The key to treating it is to act quickly—as treatable as it is, gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby. Work with your doctor to keep your blood glucose levels normal, through special meal plans and regular physical activity. Your treatment may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections. Read More on Gestational Diabetes
Understanding Diabetes from Other Causes
In addition to type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, a small minority of people develop specific types of diabetes due to other causes. This includes:
- Monogenic diabetes syndromes, such as neonatal diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY)
- Diseases of the exocrine pancreas, such as cystic fibrosis and pancreatitis
- Drug or chemical-induced diabetes, such as with glucocorticoid use, in the treatment of HIV/AIDS or after organ transplantation
Because these types of diabetes are rare, they are often misdiagnosed as other types of diabetes. You can learn more about these types of diabetes in the Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes section in the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. If you think you might have one of these types, be sure to talk with your doctor. More on Diabetes from Other Causes
Understanding Prediabetes
When it comes to prediabetes, there are no clear symptoms—so you may have it and not know it. Here’s why that’s important: before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have prediabetes—blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. You may have some of the symptoms of diabetes or even some of the complications.
Regardless, check with your doctor and get tested. If you discover that you do have prediabetes, remember that it doesn’t mean you’ll develop type 2, particularly if you follow a treatment plan and a diet and exercise routine. Even small changes can have a huge impact on managing diabetes or preventing it all together—so get to a doctor today and get tested. Read More on Prediabetes
Loved Ones
Hearing that your child or loved one has diabetes can be a shock. But after that shock wears off, know that there are plenty of things you can do to help manage their diabetes. With planning and preparation, you can get back to normal life and resume your daily activities.You can make physical activity part of every day. You can create a balanced diet for your child—one that everyone can live with and thrive on. Throughout it all, know that diabetes can’t keep your child from doing whatever they want and achieve their highest goals. There are Olympic athletes with diabetes, as well as professional football players, politicians, actors, rock stars, and CEOs. So, take a deep breath. You can do so much to make sure the people you love are thriving as they manage their diabetes.
Our Safe at School® campaign ensures that the diabetes management needs of students are met so your children are healthy and safe when they are at school. By working as a team, families, health care providers, and school staff work to monitor blood glucose and administer insulin. In addition to that, we can help ensure that all students have trained staff on hand who can recognize and treat high and low blood glucose and administer emergency glucagon. Information for Loved Ones
We’re here to help.
https://diabetes.findhelp.com/Calling All Professionals
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) convened leading experts, including endocrinologists, researchers, primary care professionals, certified diabetes care and education specialists, and mental health professionals, to understand opportunities and roadblocks to type 1 diabetes screening and awareness. The outcome of this roundtable is a report that outlines the discussion and potential opportunities for future direction. The report does not necessarily reflect official guidelines or recommendations from the American Diabetes Association or other participating organizations. treatment and care to avoid complications like hypoglycemia. A honeymoon period can last as little as a week or even up to a year. It’s important to know that the absence of symptoms doesn't mean the diabetes is gone. The pancreas will eventually be unable to make enough insulin, and, if untreated, the symptoms will return.
Is it Possible You Don't Have Type 2 Diabetes
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but isn’t able to manage it with the typical treatments for type 2 diabetes, it may be worth a visit to an endocrinologist to verify what type of diabetes you have. Generally, this requires antibody tests and possibly the measurement of a C-peptide level. It is important to be sure that your diagnosis is correct because that will determine your treatment plan, allowing you manage your diabetes and prevent its complications.
Resources for Living with Type 1 Diabetes
Whether you’ve lived with diabetes for a long time, are newly diagnosed, or a caregiver, we have the resources to help you learn about how to navigate life with type 1. Learn More
People with Diabetes - Nutrition
Having diabetes doesn’t mean giving up all your favorite foods, it’s about modifying what you love to fit your new lifestyle and help you manage diabetes. Learn More
People with Diabetes - Physical Activity
Staying physically active will help you manage your diabetes, improve your mood, and lower your risk for complications. Learn More
People with Diabetes - Diabetes Food Hub®
Access thousands of free diabetes-friendly recipes for all meals, occasions, and dietary restrictions—plus nutrition articles that answer common questions people have about eating with diabetes. Learn More
Advocacy - Safe at School®
This program helps to ensure children with diabetes receive the care they need at school. Learn More
People with Diabetes - Healthy Living e-newsletter
Sign up to receive diabetes-friendly recipes, articles, and more resources delivered directly to your email inbox every month. Learn More
Health Care Professionals - Mental Health Resource
Screening for diabetes has a significant emotional and mental health toll. These resources can help you offer support to people you treat and their families. Learn More
Health Care Professionals - Diagnosis and Classification of Type 1 Diabetes
Read our Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024 recommendations on type 1 diabetes screening and diagnosis. Learn More
Health Care Professionals - Prevention or Delay of Diabetes
Read Standards of Care in Diabetes recommendations on interventions to delay type 1 diabetes. Learn More
Health Care Professionals - Infographics
These documents provide at-a-glance guidance for type 1 diabetes screening based on the Standards of Care in Diabetes. Learn More
Health Care Professionals - Latest Innovations and Treatments in Type 1 Diabetes
Earn free CE credit in the Institute of Learning. Learn More
Health Care Professionals - School Nurse Resources
School nurses play an important role for students with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers. Training resources are available. Learn More
Information specialists at the Center for Information are your personal guides to information on diabetes, donation inquiries, as well as American Diabetes Association programs and events. 1-800-DIABETES ( 1-800-342-2383 ).
Additional Information
American Diabetes Association
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For donations by mail:
P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023
Call, Email, Chat: Center for Information, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM ET
askada@diabetes.org
1-800-DIABETES, (800-342-2383)
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