Diabetes Types

<<>> There are three major diabetes types:

• Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 (also known as Type 1, Juvenile, Childhood,and Insulin Dependent Diabetes)

• Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (also known as Type 2, Non-Insulin Dependent, and Adult Onset Diabetes)

• Gestational Diabetes

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Type 1

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that is caused when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. It is an autoimmune disease - which results when the body's immune system turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them, causing the pancreas to produce little or no insulin, which is the hormone that allows sugar, or glucose, to enter the body cells. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of the diagnosed diabetics in the United States are Type 1. It develops most often in children and young adults, but can appear at any age.

It is characterized by the rapid onset of symptoms, which include weight loss, increased urination, thirst, and hunger.

Type 2

The most common diabetes type is type 2. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2 - Approximately 3.6 million people in the United States. This form of diabetes is associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and ethnicity. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.

The pancreas usually produces enough insulin, but for unknown reasons, the body cannot use the insulin effectively. This condition is known as insulin resistance. Insulin production decreases, and the result is the same as for type 1 diabetes--glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel.

Type 2 is a more complex problem than Type 1, but is sometimes more easily treated, especially in the early years when the body is still producing insulin.

Type 2 is often associated with obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, aging, high-fat diets and a less active lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetes can occur at any age, and cases of Type 2 in children continue to increase dramatically.

Gestational

Gestational Diabetes (also known as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, and GDM) develops only during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and diabetes types, often resulting in high birth weights, jaundice, and low blood sugar.

It not only affects the mother during pregnancy but it also puts them at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Women who have not previously been diagnosed with Diabetes have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This form of diabetes affects 3-10% of pregnancies. It is believed that the hormones produced during pregnancy increase a woman’s resistance to insulin.

Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may be larger than normal, have low blood sugar, and jaundice. This condition is treatable - women who control their glucose levels can decrease these risks.

Women who are gestational diabetics are at increased risk of developing type 2 after their pregnancy, while their child may be prone to developing obesity with Type 2 diabetes.

Women who eat a high fiber diet are less likely to get gestational diabetes. For each 10 grams of dietary fiber in your daily diet your risk goes down and your chances for preventing gestational diabetes goes up!

MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of Youth) is a relatively rare form of diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in people under 25 and is caused by genetic defects in beta-cell function.

Drug-Induced Diabetes can be caused by several drugs and chemicals. These include nicotinic acid (used to lower high triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol), gluco-corticoids (such as prednisone), thyroid hormone, thiazides (blood pressure medicines), dilantin (antiseizure drug), and beta-adrenergic agonists (asthma treatment).