Types of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes. Many diabetes symptoms are the same for type 1 and type 2 diabetes though there are differences in the way they occur. The US scientists have discovered a type 3diabetes, but still research is being made on this type.

Types of Diabetes

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes: It is an auto-immune disease where the immune system of the body destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It is also known as juvenile-onset diabetes. It appears at any age but commonly under 40, and gets activated due to factors like viruses, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed. People with such type must inject themselves with insulin many times a day and an exercise plan with a careful diet must be followed. A common sign is a condition called ketoacidosis that occurs due to acid compounds forming in the blood. If left untreated, it can result in serious complications and prove fatal.

  • Weight Loss: The sugar loss in urine means lot of calorie loss providing energy. Most of the people with high sugars lose weight.
  • Dehydration: The sugar which is built up in blood results in an increase in urination. When the kidneys lose the glucose through the urine, most of the water is lost, causing dehydration.
  • Body Damage: The high sugar levels in the blood can damage the small blood vessels and nerves of the eyes, heart, kidneys and predispose a person to atherosclerosis of the large arteries, creating heart attack and stroke.

Type 2 Diabetes: It is the common form of diabetes, which affects 85-90% of all people. Such diabetes is known as late-onset diabetes. It is characterized by resistance of insulin and relative insulin deficiency. Such type occurs when the body can produce some insulin, but fails to function properly, or when the cells in the body fail to react to insulin called insulin resistance.

This type is common than type 1 diabetes and occurs in almost 85 - 95% of all people. African-Caribbean and South Asian people can develop the disease after the age of 25. It is associated with obesity and it is common in older people, over the age of 40.

Symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

  • Weight loss
  • Dry skin
  • Skin infections
  • Numbness in hands or feet
  • Blurred vision
  • Sores and wounds that take a long time to heal
  • Lack of energy/constant fatigue
  • Cramps
  • Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush

People experiencing these symptoms must visit a GP for diagnosis. To find if a person showing these symptoms has diabetes, the GP will carry out a urine test to see if excess glucose is present. Early treatment can help to relieve the symptoms.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

GDM, also known as carbohydrate intolerance, is first diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test. Between 5.5 and 8.8% pregnant women have GDM in Australia. Risk factors can be a family history of diabetes, obesity or a member of a community with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Dietary changes and self-care are necessary during treatment.

Complications of Gestational Diabetes

Having gestational diabetes can have an effect on the development of the baby. Most of the birth defects can affect major organs like brain and heart. During the second and third trimester, a mother's diabetes leads to over-nutrition and excess growth of the baby. Having a large baby can have a high risk during labor and delivery. With proper treatment, you can deliver a healthy baby inspite of having diabetes.

Risk for Gestational Diabetes

The following factors increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes:

  • Family history of diabetes
  • Being overweight prior to becoming pregnant
  • Having gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy
  • Earlier giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds
  • Having too much amniotic fluid

An oral glucose tolerance test can diagnose GDM. An OGTT includes a blood test before breakfast, then again two hours after a glucose drink. Having a GlucoWatch at home can make you aware about diabetes rise.

Other Specific Types of Diabetes

Other types of diabetes result from genetic syndromes, drugs, surgery, malnutrition, other illnesses and infections. Such types account for around 1 to 2% of diagnosed cases of diabetes.