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Understand the two types of Diabetes.

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Can we count on you this American Diabetes Month ® to demonstrate your commitment to join the fight to end diabetes? The impact will be felt by millions.

Stand with Us in the Fight

November is American Diabetes Month®, but this isn't a time to celebrate. It's a time to rally against the diabetes epidemic. The ADA is leading the charge through research, education, and advocacy. Join us to uplift your loved ones living with diabetes and help all those in need across America.

What's Happening?

Stay on top of what's new at the American Diabetes Association, diabetes-related updates, healthy living resources, and more!

Diabetes By-the-Numbers

The numbers are staggering. diabetes isn't just a disease-it's an epidemic, affecting over 37 million Americans with devastating consequences.

Americans are diagnosed each year

of Americans had diabetes in 2019

American adults are living with prediabetes

But there's hope. Join us as we continue the fight against diabetes and work to find a cure.

Are you at risk?

Learning your risk is the first step in taking action against type 2 diabetes. Take our 60-Second Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test today to receive actionable next steps in your health journey.

Get Ahead of Kidney Disease

November is American Diabetes Month®. If you're living with diabetes, there are many steps you can take to prevent chronic kidney disease or slow its progression if you have it. Early detection, healthy lifestyle changes, and health education are just a few ways to take charge of your kidney health.

Calendar of Events

Upcoming events

2023 Alabama State of Diabetes

2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL, United States, 35223

2023 Atlanta State of Diabetes: Education and Awareness Summit

2999 Wildwood Pkwy, Atlanta, GA, United States, 30339

2023 Florida State of Diabetes Community Event and Expo

221 N Beach St., Daytona Beach, FL, United States, 32114

Get Involved

Over 133 million Americans are living with diabetes or prediabetes. Take action and fight back today.

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We're dedicated to advancing diabetes research funding to help bring effective new treatements, and, eventually, a cure. Join our fight.

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American Diabetes Association | Research, Education, Advocacy

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Leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes for those affected by it through research funding, community services, education and advocacy.

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Understand the disease and it's symptoms along with the risks.

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At first, glaucoma doesn't usually have any symptoms. That's why many people with glaucoma don't even know they have it. Over time, you may slowly lose vision, usually starting with peripheral vision-especially the part of your vision that's closest to your nose.

Because it happens so slowly, many people can't tell that their vision is changing at first. As the disease gets worse, you may start to notice that you can't see things off to the side anymore. Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually cause blindness.
(Source: National Eye Institute, 2022)

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Glaucoma occurs when there is damage to the optic nerve, often from pressure inside the eye, causing loss of peripheral vision and blindness.

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Diabetes can cause a person to develop high blood pressure levels and over time these high levels can cause the blood vessels in the retina to be damaged. This can be called Diabetic retinopathy. The damaged vessels can swell and leak and cause blindness which furthers increases the pressure within the eye and damage the optic nerve. Having a damaged optic nerve is called glaucoma. Diabetes can increase a person's risk of developing glaucoma.

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Diabetes is a condition that affects the body's ability to process blood sugar. It can also increase a person's risk of developing certain eye conditions, including glaucoma.

Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar from food enter the body's cells so they can use it for energy. If a person has diabetes, their body either does not make enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it does produce. This can make it difficult for a person to manage their blood sugar levels. As such, this can lead to complications, including those that may affect eye health.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage to the nerve in the back of the eye, called the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness.

In this article, we will discuss the link between glaucoma and diabetes. We also discuss risk factors for glaucoma, potential symptoms, and treatment options.

Diabetes a person to develop high blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is the medical term for this damage.

Damaged blood vessels can then swell and leak. This can cause a person's vision to become blurry and reduce retinal blood flow. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Diabetic retinopathy cause abnormal blood vessels to grow within the retina. This can block fluid from draining out of the eye.

When this occurs, it causes pressure within the eye to increase, which can damage the optic nerve. This damage to the optic nerve is known as glaucoma. Research notes that diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Some evidence indicates that if a person has diabetes, it almost doubles their risk of developing glaucoma.

The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy. Other risk factors that increase a person's chance of developing diabetic retinopathy include:

There are a number of things that can increase a person's risk of developing glaucoma. These :

Glaucoma usually cause symptoms at first. This causes a lot of people with glaucoma to not know they have it.

Over time, glaucoma can cause a person to slowly lose their vision. This often starts with their peripheral vision, particularly the vision that is closest to the nose.

Because glaucoma progresses slowly, many people cannot tell that their vision is changing. As glaucoma becomes worse, a person may notice that they cannot see things off to the side anymore. Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually cause blindness.

If a person has diabetes, they may be at a higher risk of developing glaucoma. This means they may wish to take steps to help prevent glaucoma from developing.

There are a number of steps a person can take to help reduce their risk of developing glaucoma, :

Attending eye exams: Having regular dilated eye exams can help a person diagnose glaucoma early, allowing them to begin treatment. This is important, as prescription eye drops can help stop glaucoma from progressing.

Discussing glaucoma with family members: Glaucoma can be a hereditary condition and often does not display symptoms early on. This means it is important to talk with family members about the family's eye health history.

Maintaining a moderate weight: Maintaining a moderate weight can play a role in reducing a person's risk of developing glaucoma. This can also help a person with diabetes better manage their symptoms.

Controlling blood pressure: A person should monitor and manage their blood pressure to help reduce their risk of glaucoma. This will also help a person with diabetes manage their symptoms.

Being physically active: By being physically active, a person can help reduce their risk of glaucoma and manage their diabetes symptoms.

Avoiding smoking: Smoking can increase a person's risk of diabetic retinopathy. A person should avoid smoking to reduce their risk of developing the condition.

Even if a person is not in a high risk group, they should still consider getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam at the age of 40 years. This exam can help diagnose glaucoma and other eye diseases early. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow glaucoma progression, reducing vision loss.

A dilated eye exam is a simple and painless procedure. During the exam, a doctor will administer some eye drops. These drops dilate, or widen, the pupil. The doctor can then check the eyes for glaucoma and other eye problems. The exam will also include a visual field test to check the person's peripheral vision.

If someone notices their peripheral vision becoming blurry, they should speak with their doctor and arrange a dilated eye exam.

Diabetes is a condition that affects a person's ability to process blood sugar. Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness. Evidence suggests that having diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy can then cause abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, which can block fluid from draining out of the eye. This can increase the pressure within the eye, which may damage the optic nerve. This damage may lead to the development of glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss.

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What is the link between glaucoma and diabetes?

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What is the connection between glaucoma and diabetes? Read on to learn more about the relationship between these two conditions.

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Supportive research by The Glaucoma Foundation to help look for a way to regenerate damage nerves from glaucoma.

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Prospects for Restoring Vision in Patients with Glaucoma: The Promise of Optic Nerve Regeneration

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Type 2 diabetes has become a widespread disease and with new research coming out what's to say it's effective and affordable for people.

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This act for insulin has been introduced to help cut costs for insulin for the American people.

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Senators Shaheen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan INSULIN Act to Cut Insulin Costs for Millions More Americans | U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire

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**Shaheen-Collins legislation follows their initial announcement to release legislation that would…

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Researchers have used AI to predict the components of amino acids that make up therapeutic proteins and the best way to deliver therapeutic drugs.

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AI used to advance drug delivery system for glaucoma and other chronic diseases

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The project, a collaboration with researchers from the University of Maryland, holds promise for advancing new and more tolerable drug treatments for common chronic blinding eye diseases, including glaucoma and macular degeneration.

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Glaucoma affects many but it is a consistent issue in Africa but the use of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty can be the answer to this problem.

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In Africa, glaucoma presents a uniquely difficult problem, as its high prevalence is compounded by economic barriers to essential medical care. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a potentially transformative modality in this setting, presenting an opportunity for quick, safe, and effective long-term treatment.

During a trip to Togo, West Africa, my colleagues and I taught local ophthalmologists to perform SLT in a model that we hope to see replicated throughout the region.

Glaucoma's impact in Africa

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is highly prevalent in Africa, causing 15% of the blindness in the continent. ¹ Results of a large study in urban West Africa showed that the condition affects 6.8% of the population, ² and this is believed to be due to a higher inherited risk as evidenced by a higher prevalence of glaucoma among people of African descent around the world. ³

In addition, the disease in this population is often severe and progresses rapidly to damage the optic nerve and visual fields. ⁴ Consequently, it is not unusual for many family members to be affected by glaucoma, including some with total bilateral blindness. ⁴ The devastating effect on families presents a public health problem and a significant economic burden. ⁴

Africans' elevated genetic risk for high-tension glaucoma makes screening essential and management imperative. Unfortunately, many people face limited access to basic care and effective treatments. In West Africa, where my work has focused, people are severely impoverished, with 36.8% of the population living in extreme poverty (less than $1.90 a day). ⁵ This affects access to care in myriad ways:

Countries have a shortage of ophthalmologists and ophthalmic caretakers, with just 2.5 ophthalmologists per million people in sub-Saharan Africa. ⁶ There is also a chronic shortage of modern medical equipment for diagnosis and treatment ⁷ and an unstable supply of glaucoma medications. ⁸

Ophthalmologists lack expertise in trabeculectomy and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. ⁹

For many patients, the cost of chronic medication is too high and the inefficient transportation system prohibitive.

Thus, glaucoma patients in West Africa rarely receive the early diagnosis required to prevent severe visual loss. More often, they go undiagnosed or are diagnosed at a late stage and then undertreated. The result is a rapid progression of optic nerve damage and visual field constriction, ending in total blindness for far too many people.

Can SLT help prevent blindness in West Africa?

As we seek to help preserve vision in patients with glaucoma in the region, a possible answer is SLT, whose unique combination of efficacy and safety addresses some of the problems identified above. For more than 20 years, the procedure has been a recognized tool for the treatment of POAG. ¹⁰

Its mechanism of action is well known: laser-tissue interaction triggers a chain of biological and biochemical reactions that result in enhanced outflow facility and reduction of IOP. SLT lowers IOP at least 20% and keeps patients off medications in about 75% of cases.10 Its also has a superb safety profile, with only minimal and transient reddening of the eye in response to treatment. 11,12

What's more, SLT is effective as a first-line therapy, often eliminating the need for medications. My colleagues and I were the first to publish a study showing the safety and efficacy of SLT as primary treatment, ¹¹ and the recent LiGHT study showed it to be superior to medications as a primary treatment over 3 years. ¹⁰ SLT's positive outcomes in people of African descent have also been demonstrated. ¹³

Moreover, the procedure is very quick, requiring only about 2 minutes per eye in an office setting. That sets a lower bar for access to care compared with surgery. There is absolutely no pain or discomfort, and patients can resume regular activities immediately after treatment without any limitations.

With these advantages in mind, my fellow ophthalmologists and I chose to introduce this excellent modality in Africa as a safe and effective treatment for glaucoma without the need for chronic medication or invasive surgery and promote its use.

An SLT pilot program in Togo

Our team in Israel organized a special project in Lomé, Togo's capital and largest city. Three of us traveled there in October 2022s. A Lumenis Digital Duet SLT-YAG laser, donated to the Lomé Commune Centre Hospitalier Régional, was delivered 2 weeks before our arrival.

Several months in advance, our team had worked with the chief medical officer of Togo and his team to outline the project's concept and primary goals. We wanted to implement SLT in patients with elevated IOP and uncontrolled glaucoma. We set 2 main targets: educate Togolese ophthalmologists and ophthalmic care workers about SLT and its role in glaucoma and examine as many patients as possible in the 6 days we would spend in the hospital.

Our educational efforts were met with enthusiasm. The 14 local ophthalmologists and 10 caretakers who participated in the project were very knowledgeable, motivated to learn, and eager to master the procedure. The program included lectures on SLT as well as practical instruction and demonstrations on real patients.

During our stay, we examined 520 patients, many of whom had been referred to us in advance by local ophthalmologists. Many had already been diagnosed with glaucoma and treated with drugs. Of those we examined, 102 required SLT treatment per the usual criteria of IOP above 21mm Hg despite or without topical treatment. The fact that nearly 20% of patients required SLT-a very high percentage compared with what we see at home-underscored the severity of the condition in Togo.

When we began doing SLT, I treated the patients, and the local ophthalmologists watched me through the Digital Duet's video system. After 2 days, they had mastered the principles of therapy and had begun treating patients themselves, first under my watch and later completely independently.

We could only evaluate the success of SLT in the acute postoperative period, but results were positive: Within 1 hour after SLT, 90% of patients had an IOP that was lower by 10% to 30% from baseline. Such a prompt response is a very good prognostic sign, and we thought it very encouraging for the future of SLT in Africa.

A model for the future

Following the project's success, we hope similar programs will be adopted in other African countries. Having experience with many SLT lasers over the decades, our team found that the Digital Duet laser was especially appropriate in this case. Exceptional optics and comfortable ergonomics make it well suited to new users, and its integrated video not only aided our training efforts but could also help our students continue to train others. It's also a reliable, heavy-duty device that is ideal for economically challenged locations.

Our team was also very grateful for the coordination provided by Togo's chief medical officer and local ophthalmologists in Lomé. Through professional networks like these, we hope education will continue in Togo and throughout the rest of Africa.

Shlomo Melamed, MD

Melamedis a professor emeritus of ophthalmology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University.

References:

1. Resnikoff S, Pascolini D, Etya'ale D, et al. Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bull World Health Organ. 2004;82:844-851.

2. Budenz DL, Barton K, Whiteside-de Vos J, et al. Prevalence of glaucoma in an urban West African population: the Tema Eye Survey. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013;131(5):651-658. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.1686

3. Bonnemaijer PWM, Cook C, Nag A, et al. Genetic African ancestry is associated with central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58(7):3172-3180. doi:10.1167/iovs.17-21716

4. Cook C. Glaucoma in Africa: size of the problem and possible solutions. J Glaucoma. 2009;18(2):124-128. doi:10.1097/IJG.0b013e318189158c

5. Aikins ER, du Toit Mclachlan J. (2022). Africa is losing the battle against extreme poverty. Institute for Security Studies. July 13, 2022. Accessed January 2023. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/africa-is-losing-the-battle-against-extreme-poverty

6. Dean WH, Buchan JC, Gichuhi S, et al. Ophthalmology training in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. Eye (Lond). 2021;35(4):1066-1083. doi:10.1038/s41433-020-01335-7

7. Oosting RM, Wauben LSGL, Groen RS, Dankelman J. Equipment for essential surgical care in 9 countries across Africa: availability, barriers and need for novel design. Health Technol. 2019;9:269-275. doi:10.1007/s12553-018-0275-x

8. Bambamba J, Murrube N, Pires P, et al. Availability, prices and affordability of glaucoma medicines among private pharmacies of Nampula City in Mozambique. Open J Epidemiol. 2022;12:158-169. doi:10.4236/ojepi.2022.122014

9. Damji K, Nazarali S, Giorgis A, et al. STOP Glaucoma in Sub Saharan Africa: enhancing awareness, detection, management, and capacity for glaucoma care. Expert Rev Ophthalmol. 2017;12(3):197-206.

10. Konstantakopoulou E, Gazzard G, Vickerstaff V, et al. The Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) trial. A multicentre randomised controlled trial: baseline patient characteristics. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018;102(5):599-603. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-310870

11. Melamed S, Ben Simon GJ, Levkovitch-Verbin H. Selective laser trabeculoplasty as primary treatment for open-angle glaucoma: a prospective, nonrandomized pilot study. Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121(7):957-960. doi:10.1001/archopht.121.7.957

12. Latina MA, de Leon JM. Selective laser trabeculoplasty. Ophthalmol Clin North Am. 2005;18(3):409-vi. doi:10.1016/j.ohc.2005.05.005

13. Goosen E, Coleman K, Visser L, Sponsel WE. Racial differences in selective laser trabeculoplasty efficacy. J Curr Glaucoma Pract. 2017;11(1):22-27. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10008-1216

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SLT shows promise as treatment for millions of Africans with glaucoma.

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How can Covid affects those with Diabetes?

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How can Covid affects those with Diabetes?

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Those who have diabetes are more at risk of having covid and the affects being serve to the point where intensive care is needed.

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread rapidly across the globe. Although people of all ages and backgrounds are at risk of becoming infected, older people and those with concomitant diseases are at the most risk of being critically affected. Analysis of health records of patients who have died from COVID-19 show that over 75% have at least one pre-existing condition. Diabetes appears to be one of the most important comorbid diseases linked to the severity of COVID-19.

Image Credit: DisobeyArt / Shutterstock.com

Epidemiology

Diabetes is an established risk factor for infections, particularly for hospital admission for respiratory tract infections. During previous and similar disease outbreaks such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS), people with diabetes were at an increased risk of developing the infectious disease. In the current pandemic, it is yet unknown whether patients with diabetes are more likely to catch COVID-19. However, a large body of research has shown a significantly higher incidence of diabetes in patients with severe COVID-19.

Data collected from hospitals in Wuhan, China early in the pandemic found that diabetic patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were significantly more likely to require admission to intensive care and had a higher probability of developing serious complications including cardiac injury and secondary infections.

One British study published in The Lancet in August 2020, which included data from 98% of general practices in England found that during the first COVID-19 peak, an additional 3500 people with diabetes died per week from COVID-19. The same study found that one-third of people who had died in hospital from COVID-19 in England from March 1 to May 11 2020 were diabetic. Multiple studies have now associated both type 1 and type 2 diabetes with a substantial increased mortality in COVID-19.

Risk factors

Although diabetes has clearly been identified as a risk factor for severe COVID-19 and mortality, there are additional risk factors within the diabetic population that may elevate risk further. Understanding these risks could help diabetic individuals self-manage more effectively and inform clinical services which support patients. Risk factors identified to date include:

Blood sugar levels prior to infection with COVID-19.

Patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar levels have significantly poorer COVID-19-related outcomes than diabetic people with lower blood sugar.

Obesity

Diabetic patients with a high body mass index (above 30.0) are at a significantly higher risk of mortality from COVID-19 than diabetics with a lower body mass index. This is especially true of younger patients and those with non-white ethnicity.

Previous health problems

Impaired renal function and a medical history including stroke or heart failure increase the risk of death from COVID-19 in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A previous admission to hospital for a heart attack increases the risk for people with type 2 diabetes.

COVID-19 and Diabetes: The Importance of Prevention, Management and Support

Potential mechanisms

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) is a symptom that characterizes diabetes, particularly poorly controlled diabetes. It occurs when the body has too little insulin or cannot utilize insulin effectively. Poor glycemic control has been shown to significantly increase the risk of death from COVID-19 in those with and without a prior diagnosis of diabetes, and random hyperglycemia during hospital admissions for COVID-19 significantly worsens prognosis. An unusually high number of patients with COVID-19 have developed ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes related to very high blood sugar levels.

In laboratory studies, elevated levels of glucose directly increase the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In patients, it has been hypothesized that increased blood sugar might increase COVID-19 severity by increasing the glycosylation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. ACE2 is an enzyme involved in lowering blood pressure and inflammation and is found on the surface of many cell types. The SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein can bind to ACE2, which acts as a 'cellular doorway' for the virus. Increased glucose in the bloodstream potentially increases glycosylation of ACE2 and of the virus spike protein, which in turn may increase the cellular intrusion of SARS-CoV-2 and the associated immune response.

Inflammation

The SARS-CoV-2 virus infects the cells of the upper respiratory system and the lungs but also circulating T cells. T cells play a critical role in the innate immune system, and the COVID-19 virus may change how they respond. In some cases, this may cause the over-secretion of cytokines. This hyper-inflammatory response is known as a cytokine storm. High blood biomarkers of inflammation and increased blood concentrations of cytokines have been associated with COVID-19 severity and death.

Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of developing the cytokine storm, as diabetes is associated with chronic, elevated systemic inflammation. Furthermore, patients with diabetes may have a reduced immune system response, increasing their risk of developing more severe COVID-19.

Can COVID-19 trigger diabetes?

Diabetes is a clear risk factor for developing severe COVID-19 and mortality from the disease. However, evidence is emerging that the relationship between the two diseases is bi-directional. Studies have tentatively suggested that rates of diabetes diagnoses were higher than expected in 2020.

Cases of new-onset diabetes and severe complications of pre-existing diabetes have been reported in patients with COVID-19. One hypothesis is that when the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds with ACE2 receptors, cells are unable to perform their typical metabolic processes which results in alterations of glucose metabolism. At present, it is unclear who may be vulnerable to this mechanism, or whether glucose metabolism changes persist or remit after recovery from COVID-19.

References

Apicella, M., Campopiano, M. C., Mantuano, M., Mazoni, L., Coppelli, A., & Del Prato, S. (2020). COVID-19 in people with diabetes: understanding the reasons for worse outcomes. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 8(9), 782-792. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30238-2

Barron, E., Bakhai, C., Kar, P., Weaver, A., Bradley, D., Ismail, H., Knighton, P., Holman, N., Khunti, K., Sattar, N., Wareham, N. J., Young, B., & Valabhji, J. (2020). Associations of type 1 and type 2 diabetes with COVID-19-related mortality in England: a whole-population study. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 8(10), 813-822. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30272-2

Holman N, Knighton P, Kar P, et al. Risk factors for COVID-19-related mortality in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in England: a population-based cohort study. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2020;8(10):823- 33. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S2213-8587(20)30271-0

Smith, S. M., Boppana, A., Traupman, J. A., Unson, E., Maddock, D. A., Chao, K., Dobesh, D. P., Brufsky, A., & Connor, R. I. (2020). Impaired glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity is associated with severe COVID-19. Journal of medical virology, 10.1002/jmv.26227. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.26227

The Global Registry of New-Onset, COVID-19-Related Diabetes, CoviDiab Registry, Feb. 2021, covidiab.e-dendrite.com/introduction.html.

Further Reading

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Diabetes appears to be one of the most important comorbid diseases linked to the severity of COVID-19.

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Started in 1984 and funds research for glaucoma but also educates the public about glaucoma.

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TGF is extremely grateful for the past, present, and future interest, generosity, and donations from individuals to fund glaucoma research.

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American Diabetes Association:Connected for Life

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American Diabetes Association:Connected for Life

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This organization works in helping people learn about diabetes and helps to give important information in regards to a healthy lifestyle to those affected.

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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.

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Diabetes Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment | ADA

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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.