Diabetes Awareness: Understanding The Different Types & Future of Diabetes

November 15, 2024

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and November 14th marks World Diabetes Day! Today we take the time to spread awareness and education around Diabetes.

Usher Champions Diabetes Awareness on Capitol Hill

14th November Diabetes day social media banner with a glucometer, medicines, glucometer strips. The theme for 2024 is Diabetes and well being. Vector illustration

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Diabetes is a chronic disease where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin if any at all, to break down sugars from foods and drinks within the body. Insulin is a hormone that helps move blood sugar into cells to be used for energy. Without insulin, blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream and can lead to serious health conditions affecting the person’s eyesight, weight, pregnancy and overall health.

More than 830 million people in the world have Diabetes. China, India and Pakistan are the countries with the most people diagnosed with Diabetes and the United States of America ranks number 4. According to CDC, about 12% of Black people have Diabetes but to truly understand Diabetes we must know all 3 types, the technology being offered, possible cures and how the world has adapted to this disease. Continue reading as we dive into each of these topics.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

Beautiful diabetic girl taking a selfie, having an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor on her arm. Teenage girl is not ashamed of having diabetes, sharing her life with a chronic illness on social media.

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Type 1 diabetes or T1D was formally known as Juvenile Diabetes as it is commonly diagnosed in children and young adults, but as researched continued it was realized to occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes is genetic and can’t be prevented but it can be treated with external insulin through shots or an insulin pump. Type 1 Diabetics are required to check their blood sugar levels regularly and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. I am a type 1 diabetic and have been living with this disease for 18 years after my diagnosis at 14 years old.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Young African American Man Prioritizes Health by Measuring Blood Sugar Level on the Sofa

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Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, as it affects about 90% of people who have the disease. The main difference between Type 1 and Type 2 is that Type 2 is often preventable and can be managed with diet, exercise, medication, and insulin therapy. The earlier the diagnosis is can help to prevent serious damage to the body, especially nerves and blood vessels. Some health concerns to be aware of that are risk factors for type 2 diabetes are; being overweight or obese, not being physically active, your family history, and being 45 or older.

RELATED l Type 2 Diabetes – The Basics

What Is Type 3 Diabetes?

Young woman self-giving an insulin injection

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Type 3 diabetes is not fully recognized as a type of diabetes by major health organizations because it is an unofficial term for Alzheimer’s disease. It’s used to describe the idea that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by brain cells becoming unable to respond to insulin.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Close-up Of Pregnant African American Woman Monitoring Her Blood Glucose

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Gestational Diabetes can develop during pregnancy and occurs when the body can’t produce enough insulin or the insulin made in the body isn’t effectively being used during pregnancy. This could result in high blood sugar which isn’t good for the carrier or the growing baby. Gestational diabetes is different from Type 1 or Type 2 as the symptoms are often mild or nonexistent because it only develops during pregnancy, usually around the 24th week and typically goes away after giving birth.RELATED l Diabetes Awareness Month: The Risks & Benefits Of Diabetes & Pregnancy

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Is There A Cure For Diabetes?

Woman, syringe and insulin in home, table and preparation for injection, healthcare or tablet for steps on telehealth app. African girl, needle and drugs for diabetes, wellness and pharma product

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As of 2024, there is no cure yet for Diabetes but there is hope to cure Type 1 diabetes by disguising stem cells. Scientists all over the world have been working on studies to prevent as well as eliminate this disease in all types.

New Diabetes Technology

Diabetic woman sitting on bench in park, wearing a CGM sensor on her arm and checking her blood sugar level in real time with her smartphone.

Source: Halfpoint Images / Getty

As 2024, there are many advances in technology catered to managing an individuals sugar levels including; continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. Some of the companies producing these include; Dexcom, Omnipod, T Slim, FreeStyle Libre and more. As research continues there are more ways to make life a little easier as a Diabetic.

Two Coworkers Outside in Office Common Area

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Thankfully the machines involved with Diabetes and Diabetes as a whole has been normalized in everyday life. Personally, as I’ve travelled there isn’t much surprise when going through the medal detector and I tell a TSA agent that it’s my Dexcom setting off the alarm or on a night out, if security has to search through my purse and there’s a needle, they’ll automatically ask if I have diabetes. There are even more characters in TV and films like the Disney/Pixar movie, Turning Red, which showcase characters wearing diabetes technology. With the help of many everyday people, public figures and celebrities like Usher, using their voice to bring awareness about this disease, we are on the path to a better future! If you know someone with Diabetes please continue to show them support and love especially on today and this month!

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Also See:

Medical Minute With Dr. Mel: How Does Sugar Affects The Heart

Diabetes Awareness Month: How To Travel Smart With Diabetes

Diabetes Awareness Month: Diabetes & Faith

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