Obesity is also associated with higher risk. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for later developing type 2 diabetes. Other specific types of diabetes result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses. Management strategies should be planned along with a qualified health care team. Diabetes knowledge, treatment, and prevention strategies advance daily.
Treatment is aimed at keeping blood glucose near normal levels at all times.
Training in self-management is integral to the treatment of diabetes. Treatment must be individualized and must address medical, psychosocial, and lifestyle issues. Treatment requires a strict regimen that typically includes a carefully calculated diet, planned physical activity, home blood glucose testing several times a day, and multiple daily insulin injections. The causes of type 1 diabetes appear to be much different than those for type 2 diabetes, though the exact mechanisms for development of both diseases are unknown. A number of studies have shown that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.