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November is American Diabetes Month.
Diabetes is a common disease. But it may be more complex than you think. About 1 in 9 women in the U.S. have diabetes, and managing symptoms depends on numerous factors, including type and treatment plan.
Poorly managed diabetes leads to high levels of sugar in the blood. This can cause serious health problems, including kidney disease, nerve damage and even death. In fact, diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
To complicate things even more, 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes — blood sugar levels that are higher than normal — but a majority of people don’t know they have it. So how much do you know about diabetes? Take our quiz to find out.
1. There are three main types of diabetes.
Correct
Incorrect
true. The three main types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease where your body no longer makes enough insulin to regulate blood sugar. Type 2 is when your cells don’t respond normally to insulin, also called insulin resistance, which causes high blood sugar. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy, and similar to Type 2, causes insulin resistance.
2. Type 1 is the most common type of diabetes.
Correct
Incorrect
false. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes and is usually diagnosed in adults. About 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.
3. People at any age can get diabetes.
Correct
Incorrect
true. Although age (being over 45) is a risk factor for people with Type 2 diabetes, anyone can be diagnosed at any age with Type 1 or Type 2.
4. Living with overweight or obesity is a risk factor for Type 1 diabetes.
Correct
Incorrect
false. Type 1 diabetes is not related to weight, but living with overweight or obesity is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. But people who are not living with overweight or obesity can also have Type 2 diabetes. Other common risk factors for Type 2 include family history and an inactive lifestyle.
5. Everyone with diabetes takes insulin.
Correct
Incorrect
false. People with Type 1 require insulin injections, but not everyone with Type 2 needs insulin. Treatment options for Type 2 may include medication (pills and/or injectables), diet changes, exercise and weight loss.
6. You can eat sweets if you have diabetes.
Correct
Incorrect
true. People with diabetes can still enjoy sugary treats but should limit foods high in sugar and follow a healthy diet just like everyone else. For Type 1 diabetes, balancing sugar and carbohydrates with insulin injections is part of the treatment plan.
7. Race is a risk factor for diabetes.
Correct
Incorrect
true. Research shows that race plays a role in the disease. For example, white people have the highest rate of Type 1 diabetes. But Type 2 is more common in Black, Hispanic, Native American and Asian people and Pacific Islanders compared to white people.
8. More women are diagnosed with diabetes than men.
Correct
Incorrect
false. Diabetes affects more men than women. But women are at greater risk for diabetes-related health problems, such as blindness and depression.
9. Actors Halle Berry and Tom Hanks both have diabetes.
Correct
Incorrect
true. Halle Berry has Type 1 and Tom Hanks has Type 2.
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