Normally, your body receives glucose from the food you take in. The liver and muscles also supply your body with glucose. Blood transports the glucose to cells throughout the body. Insulin, a chemical hormone, helps the body’s cells receive glucose. Insulin is made by the beta cells of the pancreas and then released into the bloodstream. If the body does not make enough insulin or the insulin does not work the way it should?a hallmark of diabetes?glucose is not able to enter the body’s cells. Instead the glucose is forced to remain in the blood, causing an increase in blood glucose level. This high blood glucose level causes pre-diabetes or diabetes. Pre-diabetes means that blood glucose level is higher than average but not high enough to warrant a diabetes diagnosis. Having pre-diabetic glucose levels increases risk for developing type 2 diabetes as well as heart disease and stroke. Still, if you have pre-diabetes, there are many ways to reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Moderate physical activity and a healthy diet accompanied by moderate weight loss can prevent type 2 diabetes and help a person with pre-diabetes return to normal blood glucose levels. Possible symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, being very hungry, feeling tired, weight loss without trying, the appearance of sores that slowly heal, having dry and itchy skin, loss of feeling or tingling in feet, and blurry eyesight. Some people with diabetes do not experience any of these symptoms. Diabetes can develop at any age. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults. In this type of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas are no longer able to produce insulin because they have been destroyed by the body’s immune system. Type 2 diabetes is also referred to as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is the most common form of diabetes. An unhealthy weight caused by a high-calorie diet and lack of physical activity increases the risk for developing this form of diabetes. It may develop at any age, including childhood. This type of diabetes is the result of insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s cells do not interact properly with insulin. At first, the pancreas is able to produce more insulin to keep up with the increased demand. Over time, however, it loses the ability to make up for the body’s cells’ irregular interaction with insulin. At this point, the insulin is unable to help the cells take in glucose. This results in high blood glucose levels. Gestational diabetes refers to the development of diabetes in the late stages of pregnancy. It is caused by hormones associated with pregnancy and a shortage of insulin. This form of diabetes goes away after the baby is born, but it puts both the mother and child at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes in later life.