Overview

Diabetes is a disease in which the body has a shortage of insulin, a decreased ability to use insulin, or both. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter cells and be converted to energy. When diabetes is not controlled, glucose and fats remain in the blood and, over time, damage vital organs. 

Diabetes can increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to significant disability, including blindness, amputations, and kidney failure. 

Types of diabetes

  • Prediabetes: a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes: the most common form of the disease resulting from various nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle factors
  • Type 1 diabetes: an autoimmune disease that may be caused by genetic, environmental, or other factors
  • Gestational diabetes: a form of glucose intolerance that is diagnosed during pregnancy

Symptoms and diagnosis

  • Prediabetes increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of life-threatening disability and illness like heart disease, and stroke
  • Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age

Treatment and management

  • Prediabetes can be reversed through lifestyle changes like healthy eating, exercise, and lowering body weight before it becomes type 2 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes can be controlled to prevent life-threatening illness and disability through healthy eating, exercise, and lowering body weight, but insulin or oral medication also may be necessary
  • Gestational diabetes requires treatment to bring maternal blood sugar (glucose) to normal levels and avoid complications in the infant

Join a Diabetes Self Management Education and Support service.

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES)

Prevention

Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through healthy eating, exercise, and lowering body weight.

Take a one-minute prediabetes risk quiz

What you can do

People

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Health care providers

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Health systems

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  • Use electronic health record referral systems to connect patients with diabetes prevention and management services. Contact us for support.
  • Partner with pharmacists to help people manage diabetes medications.

Reports and data

The Alaska Diabetes Prevention and Control Program focuses on monitoring the burden of diabetes in Alaska.

Resources

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Related Education

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Diabetes Control and Prevention