Diabetes Types and Treatments

Prediabetes means you have a higher-than-normal blood sugar level, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. However, it does mean that without lifestyle changes, people with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It also puts some at risk for heart disease and stroke.

Learn your risk with this free online assessment.

Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)

Henry Ford Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a national program, approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

Participants work with a trained lifestyle coach and other participants to learn the skills needed to make lasting changes, such as healthier eating, increasing physical activity, staying motivated and problem-solving.

The 1-year program includes two parts, weekly classes during the first six months, and then monthly classes for the following six months.

To be eligible for the program, a participant must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be 18 years or older
• Be overweight (body mass index above 24, or 22 if Asian)
• Have not been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Not be pregnant

In addition, a participant must meet one of the following criteria:

• Have had a recent blood test in the prediabetes range, which includes one of the following tests and results:
  • Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7–6.4% or
  • Fasting plasma glucose: 100–125 mg/dL or
  • Two-hour plasma glucose (after a 75 gm glucose load): 140–199 mg/dL
  • A doctor previously diagnosed you with gestational diabetes

Henry Ford Health offers DPP classes for our primary care patients. We are also currently partnering with the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan to offer additional classes, at no cost to the participant.

For more information about the program, please contact the DPP team by email or by phone at (313) 876-8300.

This type of diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t produce insulin. Your body needs insulin to move glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream into cells. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children and young adults but can occur at any age. It affects only 5 percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes.

It’s important that you understand the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and the complications that can develop if it’s not properly managed. The experts and specialists at Henry Ford are your partners throughout your treatment process. You’ll get the advanced treatment you need, with a compassionate touch.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please see your physician:

• Blurred vision
• Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• Extreme thirst and hunger
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Weight loss even though your diet hasn’t changed

Without proper treatment, type 2 diabetics are at risk for a variety of serious possible complications. Learn more further on this page.

Type 2 diabetes causes your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. On top of that, your body isn’t able to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. Although most people develop it in adulthood, it’s occurring more frequently in children and young adults, in recent years.
Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include:

• Age of 45 or older
• Family history, such as a parent or sibling with diabetes
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Polycystic ovary disease in women
• High cholesterol

If you have type 2 diabetes, getting treatment early is key to maintaining your health and preventing serious complications. See your physician for diabetes testing if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Abnormal thirst and hunger
• Blurred vision
• Cuts and bruises that heal very slowly
• Extreme fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Tingling, pain or numbness in the hands or feet

Without proper treatment, type 2 diabetics are at risk for a variety of serious possible complications. Learn more further on this page.

Without proper treatment, type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications. It’s important to follow your care team’s instructions to manage your condition.

Stroke, high blood pressure, eye damage, and nerve damage in the legs and feet — these are all serious risks. Being aware of what can happen is the first step in preventing these complications.

Foot complications
Diabetes can cause problems in your feet and lower legs. Your physician can monitor your overall health and the condition of your feet with regular visits.

In addition to regular screenings with your diabetes care team, check your feet daily for any of these symptoms:

• Changes in skin color
• Corns or calluses that bleed
• Dry, cracked skin, especially around the heel
• Increased skin temperature
• Ingrown and fungal toenails
• Open sores on the feet that heal slowly
• Pain or swelling in your feet or ankles

Eye/vision complications

Diabetes increases your risk for developing eye conditions, including:

• Cataracts (clouded lenses in your eyes)
• Decreased sensitivity of the cornea (clear layer covering the front of your eye)
• Diabetic macular edema (swelling of the retina, the layer at the back of the eye that receives images through the lens)
• Diabetic retinopathy (damaged blood vessels in the retina)
• Glaucoma (increased pressure and fluid in the eye, which damages the optic nerve)
• Acquired paralytic strabismus (crossed eyes caused by poor blood flow to the eye muscles)

Early detection is critical in preventing vision loss and blindness. It’s extremely important to visit your ophthalmologist once a year for a comprehensive eye exam.

At about the 24th week of pregnancy, some women may develop diabetes for the first time. This condition is called gestational diabetes, which is abnormally high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels that occur during pregnancy.

If you’re a pregnant woman with gestational diabetes, your care is in expert hands at Henry Ford Health. Our diabetes care team works closely with your prenatal care provider to manage your health and give your baby the best possible start in life.

Medical experts aren’t certain why some women develop diabetes during pregnancy. If you have gestational diabetes, it’s important to understand that you did nothing to cause the condition. In some women, hormones during pregnancy can lead to abnormally high blood glucose levels.

Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born. However, if you have had the condition once, you’re at a higher risk of developing it again during future pregnancies.

Also, in some women, pregnancy reveals that they already had type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes also increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

If you have gestational diabetes, the good news is that moderate changes in your eating and exercise plans can help. Most pregnant women can control their blood glucose levels through self management  to keep their babies healthy and avoid complications during pregnancy and childbirth. If you need insulin or other medications to manage your blood sugar, the diabetes team at Henry Ford can customize a treatment plan for your best health, including one-on-one care with a registered dietician.