Close the blinds during sleep to protect your health

Even moderate light exposure during sleep harms heart health and increases insulin resistance

Bedroom with full moon | Credit: © Brilliant Eye / stock.adobe.com

Summary:

Exposure to even moderate ambient lighting during nighttime sleep, compared to sleeping in a dimly lit room, harms your cardiovascular function during sleep and increases your insulin resistance the following morning, reports a new study. Just a single night of exposure to moderate room lighting during sleep can impair glucose and cardiovascular regulation, which are risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

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Close the blinds, draw the curtains and turn off all the lights before bed. Exposure to even moderate ambient lighting during nighttime sleep, compared to sleeping in a dimly lit room, harms your cardiovascular function during sleep and increases your insulin resistance the following morning, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study

"The results from this study demonstrate that just a single night of exposure to moderate room lighting during sleep can impair glucose and cardiovascular regulation, which are risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome," said senior study author Dr. Phyllis Zee, chief of sleep medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine physician. "It's important for people to avoid or minimize the amount of light exposure during sleep."

There is already evidence that light exposure during daytime increases heart rate via activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which kicks your heart into high gear and heightens alertness to meet the challenges of the day.

"Our results indicate that a similar effect is also present when exposure to light occurs during nighttime sleep," Zee said.

Heart rate increases in light room, and body can't rest properly

"We showed your heart rate increases when you sleep in a moderately lit room," said Dr. Daniela Grimaldi, a co-first author and research assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern. "Even though you are asleep, your autonomic nervous system is activated. That's bad. Usually, your heart rate together with other cardiovascular parameters are lower at night and higher during the day."

There are sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to regulate our physiology during the day and night. Sympathetic takes charge during the day and parasympathetic is supposed to at night, when it conveys restoration to the entire body.

How nighttime light during sleep can lead to diabetes and obesity

Investigators found insulin resistance occurred the morning after people slept in a light room. Insulin resistance is when cells in your muscles, fat and liver don't respond well to insulin and can't use glucose from your blood for energy. To make up for it, your pancreas makes more insulin. Over time, your blood sugar goes up.

An earlier study published in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at a large population of healthy people who had exposure to light during sleep. They were more overweight and obese, Zee said.

"Now we are showing a mechanism that might be fundamental to explain why this happens," Zee said. "We show it's affecting your ability to regulate glucose."

The participants in the study weren't aware of the biological changes in their bodies at night.

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"But the brain senses it," Grimaldi said. "It acts like the brain of somebody whose sleep is light and fragmented. The sleep physiology is not resting the way it's supposed to."

Exposure to artificial light at night during sleep is common

Exposure to artificial light at night during sleep is common, either from indoor light emitting devices or from sources outside the home, particularly in large urban areas. A significant proportion of individuals (up to 40%) sleep with a bedside lamp on or with a light on in the bedroom and/or keep the television on.

Light and its relationship to health is double edged.

"In addition to sleep, nutrition and exercise, light exposure during the daytime is an important factor for health, but during the night we show that even modest intensity of light can impair measures of heart and endocrine health," Zee said.

The study tested the effect of sleeping with 100 lux (moderate light) compared to 3 lux (dim light) in participants over a single night. The investigators discovered that moderate light exposure caused the body to go into a higher alert state. In this state, the heart rate increases as well as the force with which the heart contracts and the rate of how fast the blood is conducted to your blood vessels for oxygenated blood flow.

"These findings are important particularly for those living in modern societies where exposure to indoor and outdoor nighttime light is increasingly widespread," Zee said.

Zee's top tips for reducing light during sleep

(1) Don't turn lights on. If you need to have a light on (which older adults may want for safety), make it a dim light that is closer to the floor.

(2) Color is important. Amber or a red/orange light is less stimulating for the brain. Don't use white or blue light and keep it far away from the sleeping person.

(3) Blackout shades or eye masks are good if you can't control the outdoor light. Move your bed so the outdoor light isn't shining on your face.

Is my room too light?

"If you're able to see things really well, it's probably too light," Zee said.

Story Source:

Materials provided by Northwestern University. Original written by Marla Paul. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Diabetes blues: Beyond pills, injections, blood checks

Diabetes affects and is regulated by the brain. 

Learn more! Click here.

From Medical News Today (excerpt).

Lastpdated Fri 24 May 2019

By Adam Felman 

Reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, RN, CRNA

Diabetes affects much more than blood sugar. It can lead to sudden mood changes that may place an emotional strain on relationships and personal life.

For some people, the stress of living with diabetes can contribute to both changes in mood and concerns about potential complications. The physical effects of diabetes may also lead to nervousness, anxiety, and confusion.

Sometimes, friends and family may struggle to understand these mood swings, but learning about how diabetes can affect mood and providing support can help promote a stronger, healthier relationship.

In this article, we look at how diabetes might affect a person's mood and relationships.

We also spoke to Jenn Catterall, who lives with type 1 diabetes and manages the condition using an insulin pump, about her emotional experiences with diabetes.

Diabetes and mood swings

Diabetes often has a complex emotional impact.

Diabetes can affect a person's mood, causing rapid and severe changes.

The symptoms of low blood sugar levels that might contribute to mood swings include:

• confusion
• hunger
• co-ordination and decision-making difficulties
• aggression and irritability
• personality or behavior changes
• concentration difficulties

Signs that indicate a person may have high blood sugar levels include:

• difficulty thinking clearly and quickly
• feeling nervous
• feeling tired or having low energy

Changes in blood sugar level can affect a person's mood and mental status. When blood sugar returns to a normal range, these symptoms often resolve.

Fluctuations in blood glucose can result in rapid mood changes, including low mood and irritability. This is especially true during hypoglycemic episodes, during which blood sugar levels drop below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

However, when some people have low blood sugar, they experience a slightly euphoric feeling, in a similar way to being mildly drunk. Jenn reports the following with her own experiences:

Low blood sugars can be almost a nice experience, similar to being tipsy. When I was a teenager, my brother jokingly commented, "You're much nicer when your blood sugars are low!"

The body compounds this pleasant sensation by releasing adrenaline in an attempt to convert any available glycogen in the liver back into glucose to boost levels in the bloodstream."

This surge in adrenaline can lead to a fight-or-flight response. In Jenn's words, "Anything that might get in the way of a hypo recovery is now a danger, and your brain now focuses on keeping you conscious or alive."

This fight-or-flight state contributes to the feelings of irritability that might result from hypoglycemia in some people.

The speed of mood swings can vary, according to Jenn.

"The changes in mood, like the symptoms, can vary a lot in how suddenly I'll feel them, and they don't always parallel each other. However, we are talking a matter of minutes, up to maybe half an hour. It's not as sudden as an epileptic fit."

Hyperglycemic episodes, when glucose levels rise above 130 mg/dL when fasting and 180 mg/dL after meals, may also cause confusion in people with type 1 diabetes. This is less common in type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes affects and is regulated by the brain. 

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Type 2 diabetes remission possible with 'achievable' weight loss

Diabetes affects and is regulated by the brain. 

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People who achieve weight loss of 10% or more in the first five years following diagnosis with type 2 diabetes have the greatest chance of seeing their disease go into remission, according to a study led by the University of Cambridge.

The findings suggest that it is possible to recover from the disease without intensive lifestyle interventions or extreme calorie restrictions.

Type 2 diabetes affects 400 million people worldwide and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputations. While the disease can be managed through a combination of positive lifestyle changes and medication, it is also possible for the high blood glucose levels that define diabetes to return to normal -- through significant calorie restriction and weight loss. An intensive low-calorie diet involving a total daily intake of 700 calories (less than one cheeseburger) for 8 weeks has been associated with remission in almost nine out of ten people with recently diagnosed diabetes and in half of people with longstanding disease.

However, there is little evidence to show whether the same effect can be achieved by people undergoing less intensive interventions, which are more feasible and potentially scalable to the wider population. To answer this question, a team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge studied data from the ADDITION-Cambridge trial, a prospective cohort study of 867 people with newly diagnosed diabetes aged 40 and 69 years recruited from general practices in the eastern region.

The research was funded by Wellcome, the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research.

The researchers found that 257 participants (30%) participants were in remission at five-year follow-up. People who achieved weight loss of 10% or more within the first five years after diagnosis were more than twice as likely to go into remission compared to people who maintained the same weight.

"We've known for some time now that it's possible to send diabetes into remission using fairly drastic measures such as intensive weight loss programmes and extreme calorie restriction," says Dr Hajira Dambha-Miller from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care.

"These interventions can be very challenging to individuals and difficult to achieve. But, our results suggest that it may be possible to get rid of diabetes, for at least five years, with a more modest weight loss of 10%. This will be more motivating and hence more achievable for many people."

Senior author Professor Simon Griffin of the MRC Epidemiology Unit added: "This reinforces the importance of managing one's weight, which can be achieved through changes in diet and increasing physical activity. Type 2 diabetes, while a chronic disease, can lead to significant complications, but as our study shows, can be controlled and even reversed."

Diabetes affects and is regulated by the brain. 

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Diabetes: The lonely disease

Diabetes is the elusive, frustrating, invisible, lonely disease. It does't appear overnight, but rather builds over years and decades. It's causes are complex and patients are left to self-manage this potentially deadly disease. And it is becoming more prevalent in a fast-moving stressful world, churned by coffee, the Internet, fast food and constant advice and suggestions by well-meaning but confusing friends, partners, doctors, and pharmacists. It is a disease that demands constant attention among people in lower incomes or socio-economic groups least able to afford it. A disease that demands fast decisions at a time when, because of the abnormal blood sugar levels, the brain cannot discern clear answers.


Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers: Use Them to Manage Your Diabetes

Checking your blood sugar, also called blood glucose, is an important part of diabetes care. This tip sheet tells you:

• why it helps you to know your blood sugar numbers
• how to check your blood sugar levels
• what are target blood sugar levels
• what to do if your levels are too low or too high
• how to pay for these tests


Why do I need to know my blood sugar numbers?

Your blood sugar numbers show how well your diabetes is managed. And managing your diabetes means that you have less chance of having serious health problems, such as kidney disease and vision loss.
As you check your blood sugar, you can see what makes your numbers go up and down. For example, you may see that when you are stressed or eat certain foods, your numbers go up. And, you may see that when you take your medicine and are active, your numbers go down. This information lets you know what is working for you and what needs to change.

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How is blood sugar measured?

There are two ways to measure blood sugar.

• Blood sugar checks that you do yourself. These tell you what your blood sugar level is at the time you test.
• The A1C (A-one-C) is a test done in a lab or at your provider’s office. This test tells you your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months.

How do I check my blood sugar?

You use a blood glucose meter to check your blood sugar. This device uses a small drop of blood from your finger to measure your blood sugar level. You can get the meter and supplies in a drug store or by mail.
Read the directions that come with your meter to learn how to check your blood sugar. Your health care team also can show you how to use your meter. Write the date, time, and result of the test in your blood sugar record. Take your blood sugar record and meter to each visit and talk about your results with your health care team.

What are target blood sugar levels for people with diabetes?

A target is something that you aim for or try to reach. Your health care team may also use the term goal. People with diabetes have blood sugar targets that they try to reach at different times of the day. These targets are:

• Right before your meal: 80 to 130
• Two hours after the start of the meal: Below 180

Talk with your health care team about what blood sugar numbers are right for you.

How often should I check my blood sugar?

The number of times that you check your blood sugar will depend on the type of diabetes that you have and the type of medicine you take to treat your diabetes. For example, people who take insulin may need to check more often than people who do not take insulin. Talk with your health care team about how often to check your blood sugar.
The common times for checking your blood sugar are when you first wake up (fasting), before a meal, 2 hours after a meal, and at bedtime. Talk with your health care team about what times are best for you to check your blood sugar.

What should I do if my blood sugar gets too high?

High blood sugar is also called hyperglycemia (pronounced hye-per-gly-see-mee-uh). It means that your blood sugar level is higher than your target level or over 180. Having high blood sugar levels over time can lead to long-term, serious health problems.

If you feel very tired, thirsty, have blurry vision, or need to pee more often, your blood sugar may be high.

Check your blood sugar and see if it is above your target level or over 180. If it is too high, one way to lower it is to drink a large glass of water and exercise by taking a brisk walk. Call your health care team if your blood sugar is high more than 3 times in 2 weeks and you don’t know why.

What should I do if my blood sugar gets too low?

Low blood sugar is also called hypoglycemia (pronounced hye-poh-gly-see-mee-uh). It means your blood sugar level drops below 70. Having low blood sugar is dangerous and needs to be treated right away. Anyone with diabetes can have low blood sugar. You have a greater chance of having low blood sugar if you take insulin or certain pills for diabetes.

Carry supplies for treating low blood sugar with you. If you feel shaky, sweaty, or very hungry, check your blood sugar. Even if you feel none of these things, but think you may have low blood sugar, check it.

If your meter shows that your blood sugar is lower than 70, do one of the following things right away:

• chew 4 glucose tablets
• drink 4 ounces of fruit juice
• drink 4 ounces of regular soda, not diet soda or
• chew 4 pieces of hard candy


After taking one of these treatments, wait for 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar again. Repeat these steps until your blood sugar is 70 or above. After your blood sugar gets back up to 70 or more, eat a snack if your next meal is 1 hour or more away.

If you often have low blood sugar, check your blood sugar before driving and treat it if it is low.

What do I need to know about the A1C test?

The A1C test tells you and your health care team your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. It also helps you and your team decide the type and amount of diabetes medicine you need.

What is a good A1C goal for me?

For many people with diabetes, the A1C goal is below 7. This number is different from the blood sugar numbers that you check each day. You and your health care team will decide on an A1C goal that is right for you.

How often do I need an A1C test?

You need to get an A1C test at least 2 times a year. You need it more often if:

• your number is higher than your goal number
• your diabetes treatment changes

How do I pay for these tests and supplies?

Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans pay for the A1C test and some of the cost of supplies for checking your blood sugar. Check your plan or ask your health care team for help finding low cost or free supplies. Ask your health care team what to do if you run out of test strips. For more information about Medicare and diabetes, go to https://www.medicare.gov/ .

What if I have trouble getting to my blood sugar goals?

There may be times when you have trouble reaching your blood sugar goals. This does not mean that you have failed. It means that you and your health care team should see if changes are needed. Call your health care team if your blood sugar is often too high or too low. Taking action will help you be healthy today and in the future.

John's Story

At each visit, John and his health care team look at his A1C test results, his blood glucose meter and his blood sugar record to see if his treatment is working. At today’s visit, John’s A1C and blood sugar numbers are too high. John and his health care team talk about what he can do to get closer to his A1C and blood sugar goals. John decides he will be more active. He will:


• increase his walking time to 30 minutes every day after dinner.
• check his fasting blood sugar in the morning to see if being more active improves his blood sugar.
• call his doctor in 1 month for a change in medicine if his blood sugar levels are still too high.
• have his A1C tested again in 3 months to see if his new plan is working.


Things to remember

• Check your blood sugar as many times a day as your health care team suggests.
• Have your A1C checked at least 2 times a year.
• Keep a record of your blood sugar and A1C numbers.
• Take your blood glucose meter and blood sugar record to your visit and show them to your health care team. Tell your health care team how you think you are doing.
• Call your health care team if your blood sugar is often too high or too low.

Work with your health care team and decide what changes you need to make to reach your blood sugar goals.


Can type 2 diabetes be reversed? A researcher says yes.

Exercise and cutting calories can lead to curing type 2 diabetes within months.

From the Web site of Professor Roy Taylor at Newcastle University, UK 

Further information on the research on Reversing Type 2 Diabetes  

Thank you for contacting me about the studies on reversing type 2 diabetes. These have caused great interest amongst people with diabetes, and as of 2016, I have received over 3,000 enquiries and messages. Although I have replied to most of these personally, I am sorry to say that it is no longer feasible to do this. The research continues. I hope the following items will provide some useful information, but bear in mind that this is only factual information and only your doctor can provide personal medical advice.   

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What are the main research findings?   

1. The initial study was in people who had type 2 diabetes of up to 4 years. The CounterBalance study now shows that longer duration type 2 diabetes can be reversed. However, after more than 10 years of diabetes a return to normal glucose control, even with major weight loss, is much less likely.  

2. It is certainly possible to wake up the insulin producing cells of the pancreas by losing a substantial amount of weight.  

3. This happens at the same time as the fat content in the pancreas decreases. Previous studies have shown that fat stops insulin release, so it is reasonable to deduce that the removal of fat from the pancreas allowed insulin release to normalise.  

Could it work for me?   

 This research is in “type 2 diabetes”, the usual common form of diabetes. There are some rare forms of diabetes which may appear to be type 2 diabetes:  

a) Diabetes occurring after several attacks of pancreatitis is likely to be due to direct damage to the pancreas (known as “pancreatic diabetes”)  

b) Secondly, people who are slim and are diagnosed with diabetes in their teens and twenties, with a very strong family history of diabetes, may have a genetic form (known as “monogenic diabetes”)  

c) Thirdly, type 1 diabetes sometimes comes on slowly in adults, and these people usually require insulin therapy within a few years of diagnosis (“slow onset type 1”)  

None of these will respond in the same way as the common, true type 2 diabetes.  

 So, if you have the common form of type 2 diabetes, this could work for you. However, you should not underestimate just how much change in your day-to-day life will be necessary to bring this about. It requires motivation and persistence. 

   

Could it work for people with a normal BMI?   

 Yes, most certainly, provided that the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is correct. Some people are unable to cope with even moderate amounts of fat in their liver and pancreas. Type 2 diabetes only happens when a Personal Fat Threshold is exceeded. Losing weight from a level, which is “normal” for the general population, is then essential for health. See the online article by Richard Doughty.  

Practical advice   

 The particular diet used in the 2011 study was designed to mimic the sudden reduction of calorie intake that occurs after gastric bypass surgery. By using such a vigorous approach, we were testing whether we could reverse diabetes in a similar short time period to that observed after surgery.   

 The essential point is that substantial weight loss must be achieved. The time course of weight loss is much less important.  

 It is a simple fact that the fat stored in the wrong parts of the body (inside the liver and pancreas) is used up first when the body has to rely upon its own stores of fat to burn. Any pattern of eating which brings about substantial weight loss over a period of time will be effective. Different approaches suit different individuals best.  

 It is also very important to emphasise that sustainability of weight loss is the most important thing to ensure that diabetes stays away after the initial weight loss. Ordinary steady weight loss, by cutting back on the amount eaten each day, may be preferable. However, if you are not able to lose around 2½ stone over, say, six months by this approach, then the very low calorie diet may be best for you. We now know that the very low calorie approach can be followed by very steady weight control.  

A. The standard approach would involve:  

a) Decreasing total food (and alcohol) intake by about one half b) Using smaller plates c) Eating more slowly d) Recognising that the sensation of hunger is sign of success, not a signal to eat e) Enjoy that hunger.  Celebrate with a glass of water; maybe fizzy water 

However, if a person finds this difficult, the liquid meal approach could be used. 

More details about steady, sustainable weight loss are available on the Diabetes UK website.  

B. The research diet   

To carry out the Newcastle research study, the following diet was used:   

 One sachet of a liquid formula diet (~ 200 calories) three times per day. The study used Optifast, but there are many other brands.  

     

 Three portions of non-starchy vegetables per day. Lack of variety was a big problem of the diet, so we devised a few recipes to make the vegetables more interesting. The range of possibilities is infinite, but you can find the recipes we used on the website - http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal.htm.  

 No alcohol (merely because alcohol itself is so calorific – 7 calories in every gram).  

 You should consult your doctor before embarking upon any very low calorie diet. In particular, any medication you are taking may need to be adjusted.  Some general information about this is also on the website. None of this information is a substitute for proper, individual medical advice.   

 Our research subjects found the diet challenging to stick to especially in the first 36 hours. Motivated people were selected to take part in the research and support from the team was given frequently. Support from the families of the research volunteers was very important in helping them comply with the diet. Hunger was not a particular problem after the first few days, but the complete change in social activities (not going to the pub, not joining in the family meals etc.) was a challenge over the eight weeks. Careful planning in advance is essential.  

Optifast  

Although Optifast was used in the study, this is not readily available in the UK. An alternative liquid food supplement of similar calorific content is equally suitable. These are available from most local supermarkets; you should try several brands to find one most suited to your taste. One brand available on the internet is Exante. Do not be concerned by the high sugar content, as after the first day of very low calorie diet your body is able to handle this reasonably well. The product may need to be made up in water or skimmed milk. Always read the advice upon the particular product.  

After achieving your target weight - how do you keep your weight down in the long term?   

1. Once you are at your personal target weight, the critical thing now is to become accustomed to eating approximately 2/3 of the total amount you used to eat. Plan a gradual transition to normal eating over 2 -4 weeks. There need be no restriction upon any particular foodstuffs, although naturally foods that are very calorie-dense are best avoided. The goal is keeping the weight down [you may find your weight increases 1 – 2 kg over a few days on returning to a higher calorie intake; this is because your glycogen stores return to normal and glycogen is stored in the water inside your body].  

2. If you are increasing your exercise, do not eat more. It is so easy to over- compensate for exercise.  

3. Most people maintain a consistent healthy weight in the long term; most successfully by:  

a) Weigh weekly - write it down b) Watch portion size carefully and don’t eat between meals c) Walk, cycle, stairs.  Maintain a high level of everyday physical activity d) Party but payback. Enjoy life and especially occasions to celebrate, but there is a price. You must eat only about half your current intake for a few days  

  

How about exercise?   

 Do not increase your usual daily activity whilst losing weight. However, a sustainable increase during long term weight maintenance is wise, along with keeping food portion size under control.  

What research is going on?   

 Diabetes UK have funded a major 5 year study (DiRECT) to find out how many people can reverse or improve their diabetes by a low calorie liquid diet. This is being carried out entirely in Primary Care. Further details are available on the Diabetes UK website.  

 Further information will be posted on the website www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes.  

 Already available are the links to the full scientific paper describing the reversibility of diabetes study and also the scientific review of the existing knowledge in 2008, which described the “twin cycle hypothesis” which we have now tested. An up-to-date review of how weight loss works was added in 2013. In 2016, a review of what is happening to the insulin producing cells (beta cells) provides further explanation.  

 Also available is a paper, w hi ch describes what happened to diabetes when weight loss was achieved at home. This information was provided by many people around the world using email.  

 In the Information for Doctors, other research papers are available.  

 Also, all information will be added to the website, which is updated from time to time.  

 Please remember that this website and its links provide information and not personal medical advice. Do consult your Doctor for personal advice.  

Thank you for your interest in this work. 

Just What Is Diabetes, Anyway?

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, ahormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

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Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems. Although diabetes has no cure, you can take steps to manage your diabetes and stay healthy.

Sometimes people call diabetes “a touch of sugar” or “borderline diabetes.” These terms suggest that someone doesn’t really have diabetes or has a less serious case, but every case of diabetes is serious.

What are the different types of diabetes?

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

Type 1 diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. Your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. Most of the time, this type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Sometimes diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is actually type 2 diabetes.

Other types of diabetes

Less common types include monogenic diabetes, which is an inherited form of diabetes, andcystic fibrosis-related diabetes .

How common is diabetes?

As of 2015, 30.3 million people in the United States, or 9.4 percent of the population, had diabetes. More than 1 in 4 of them didn’t know they had the disease. Diabetes affects 1 in 4 people over the age of 65. About 90-95 percent of cases in adults are type 2 diabetes.¹

Who is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes?

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are age 45 or older, have a family history of diabetes, or are overweight. Physical inactivity, race, and certain health problems such as high blood pressure also affect your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. You are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you have prediabetes or had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant. Learn more about risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

What health problems can people with diabetes develop?

Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as

• heart disease
• stroke
• kidney disease
• eye problems
• dental disease
• nerve damage
• foot problems

You can take steps to lower your chances of developing these diabetes-related health problems.

References

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes statistics report, 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf  (PDF, 1.3 MB) . Updated July, 18 2017. Accessed August 1, 2017.