Diabetes is a medical condition where a person’s body does not create enough insulin or any insulin to help turn food into energy.

The main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1:

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction that prevents as person’s body from making insulin. It is much less common that Type 2 diabetes, and only accounts for 5 to 10 percent of diabetes diagnoses. There are not any preventative measures for Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2:

Type2 diabetes occurs when a person’s body cannot utilize insulin efficiently to keep blood sugars at a normal level. This type of diabetes is much more common than Type 1, and with lifestyle changes can be prevented or delayed.

Gestational Diabetes:

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes can develop gestational diabetes in pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can put the mother’s baby at higher risk for health complications. This type of diabetes generally goes away after the baby is born, but a mother who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy is more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in her life.

A few lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing Type 2 diabetes.

-Eat nutritious foods
-Maintain a healthy weight
-Stop smoking
-Keep blood pressure in check
-Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar

The Riverside Diabetes Wellness Center is accredited through the American Diabetes Association and offers diabetes self-management programs for individuals diagnosed with diabetes. The center offers group classes and individual sessions with dieticians to help patients get the tools they need to better manage their diabetes.

“Most patients who come to the Diabetes Wellness Center wish they had come a lot sooner, because they find the education to be very beneficial. A little education can make a huge difference in a patient’s life,” said Nancy Peeler, certified diabetes care and education specialist at the Riverside Diabetes Wellness Center.

If you are interested in diabetes education, talk with your primary care provider about getting a referral to the Riverside Diabetes Wellness Center.