What is diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when the body has difficulty maintaining a normal blood sugar level. It occurs when the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin or when the body does not respond to insulin as it should.
Most common types of diabetes
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Type 1: Your immune system attacks the parts of the pancreas that make insulin.
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Type 2: Your body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond to insulin as it should.
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Prediabetes: Your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, but not as high as type 2.
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Gestational: Diabetes developed during pregnancy.
Diabetes risk factors
Type 1
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Family history of autoimmune disorders
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Possible exposure to certain viruses such as coxsackievirus.
Type 2, prediabetes and gestational diabetes
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Family history of diabetes
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Age (45 years or older)
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History of gestational diabetes
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Overweight or obesity
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Not doing enough physical activity
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Hypertension
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Smoking
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Exposure to Agent Orange
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Stress
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Rates of diabetes By race and ethnicity: American Indian and Alaska Native adults (13.6%) Non-Hispanic Black Adults (12.1%) Adults of Hispanic origin (11.7%) Non-Hispanic Asian adults (9.1%) Non-Hispanic white adults (6.9%) |
Other risk factors for gestational diabetes include:
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
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Previous birth of a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
The link between stress and diabetes
Stress can increase the risk of diabetes.
Women living with PTSD are almost twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes
Stress can lead to unhealthy lifestyle factors:
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Bad diet
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There is not enough physical activity
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Smoking
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Drinking too much alcohol
Stress also increases the hormone cortisol, which can raise blood sugar levels.
People who live with chronic or long-term stress are most at risk.
Symptoms of diabetes
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Excessive thirst or dry mouth
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Urinate frequently
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Fatigue
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Blurry vision
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Unexplained weight loss
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Numbness or tingling in hands and feet.
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Sores or cuts that take a long time to heal
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Frequent fungal infections of the skin or vagina
Consult your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms.
This educational resource was created with the support of AstraZeneca.
