Click here to view the 2018 Kentucky Diabetes Fact Sheet

Diabetes is a group of diseases that result in too much sugar, or glucose, in the blood. The most common types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2 & Gestational Diabetes.

Type 1

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it.

Click here to learn more about Type 1 Diabetes

Type 2

Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. 

If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time it isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.

Think you might be at risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Take the Risk Test now!

Click here to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy, when mom’s body cannot make enough insulin to lower both mom and baby’s blood sugar to the ideal level. A pregnant women is generally be tested between 24-28 weeks,  but can be tested anytime during her pregnancy, depending on her risk for developing gestational diabetes. Gestational

diabetes is treated with dietary changes, routine monitoring of blood sugar, and can require medications, such as insulin, for  the remainder of the pregnancy.
In gestational diabetes, blood sugar levels usually returns to normal soon after delivery, however, pregnant women who have gestational diabetes are at an increased risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life, so it is important to continue to make healthy lifestyle choices after the pregnancy.

Kentucky Diabetes Resource Directory
The Kentucky Diabetes Resource Directory makes searching for local diabetes resources easy. Enter your county and the diabetes service you are looking for and results are provided instantly.

DIABETES FACTS FOR JESSAMINE COUNTY/KENTUCKY

Read Diabetes Facts and Figures. (3 pages)