Diabetes is a common chronic condition in the United States. It occurs in individuals who are unable to properly process sugar, who struggle to produce insulin, or who can't use insulin effectively within the body. Because of these issues, sugar will build up in the individual's blood, which can be dangerous. Diabetes has 3 different types: gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women and is relatively uncommon. Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes, affects mostly children and adolescents and is less common than type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects adults and some children, and is more common.