The Four Types of Diabetes

Most Common Types of Diabetes

There are many misconceptions about diabetes on the internet. The most common is there is only type 1 and type 2. It is important to note that there are actually four types of diabetes. Diabetes is a group of diseases that result in too much sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream. While glucose is critical to the body for energy, insulin is necessary to break down glucose so it can enter the body’s cells. The most common types of diabetes are; type 1, type 2, pre-diabetes, and gestational.

Type 1, Type 2, Pre-Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetics do not produce any insulin. They must inject insulin via syringe, pen or pump. Blood sugar testing is critical to controlling type 1 diabetes as glucose levels can rapidly change. Carbohydrates cause an increase in blood glucose, and that rise must be counteracted with insulin. These diabetics inject insulin multiple times a day. With insulin injections and monitoring blood sugar, one can help control their type 1 diabetes. Currently, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms

Usually, symptoms appear during childhood or adolescents, but can also develop in adulthood. Signs and symptoms can appear suddenly and might include:

• Urinating frequently
• Increased thirst
• Wetting the bed for people who usually don’t
• Unintended loss of weight
• Fatigue and weakness
• Blurred vision

 

Type 2 Diabetes

The most common form of diabetes is type 2. Type 2 is most often diagnosed after the age of 45, and is sometimes called adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetics can usually produce insulin, but do not use it efficiently. These diabetics can sometimes control their diabetes by diet and exercise, but not always.  Some type 2 diabetics need medicine to control their blood glucose levels despite their change in lifestyle.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are similar to type 1. Symptoms for type 2 actually develop more slowly.

• Urinating frequently
• Increased thirst
• Unintended loss of weight
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections
• Areas of darkened skin

 

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are high but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2. With weight loss, life style changes, and medicine, one can control their blood glucose levels and prevent type 2 diagnosis.

Gestational Diabetes

Lastly, Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Like the other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how the body uses sugar (glucose), and causes an increase in blood sugar. This form of diabetes can affect both the pregnancy and the health of the baby. Certain hormones formed in the placenta help with the fetus’s development, will block the insulin that is formed in the mother’s body. This restricts the amount of insulin that the mother receives. Excess blood glucose from the mother is then given to the fetus, and causes the fetus’s blood glucose levels to increase. In this case, the excess blood glucose is stored as fat and causes health issues for the fetus. Maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising before becoming pregnant, will help prevent getting Gestational Diabetes. 90% of Gestational Diabetes cases will return to normal health once the baby is born.

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