Diabetes occurs when your body cannot properly use and store food for energy. The fuel that your body needs is called glucose, a form of sugar. Glucose comes from foods that contain carbohydrate, such as fruit, milk, starchy foods, sugar, and some vegetables. In diabetes, the level of glucose in the blood becomes too high.
There are different types of diabetes. This chart shows how they are managed to control blood glucose (blood sugar).
Type of Diabetes | How this type is managed |
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Type 1 diabetes The pancreas does not make insulin. Glucose builds up in your blood instead of being used for energy. |
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Type 2 diabetes The pancreas does not make enough insulin, or your body does not properly use the insulin it makes. |
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Pre-diabetes Blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2. |
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Gestational diabetes High blood glucose starts during pregnancy or first gets noticed at that point. |
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