Types of Diabetes

Unlike many other diseases that come in only one variety, diabetes is known to have several varieties. The main two types of diabetes are Type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes) and Type 2 (noninsulin dependent diabetes). Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes – about 90-95 percent of all diabetics have Type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, there are three more types of diabetes, which are relatively rare – gestational diabetes, secondary diabetes and malnutrition related diabetes. The last type of diabetes has been observed mainly in India and it was really shocking because generally  excessive eating, not malnutrition is a cause of diabetes.

One of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes is the inability of the organism to produce (enough) insulin. Type 1 diabetes is mainly hereditary and it affects children. Two of the other names of Type 1 diabetes are Insulin Dependent Diabetes and Juvenile Onset Diabetes. With Type 1 diabetes the pancreas is unable to produce the necessary quantities of insulin, thus affecting the metabolism - sugar is not absorbed by the cells and remains in the blood. In order to regulate their metabolism, patients with Type 1 diabetes are dependent on external sources of getting insulin, which in most cases is in the form of injections. Patients with Type 1 diabetes must take frequently dosages of insulin in order to be able to live.

The second type of diabetes – Type 2 is different because patients who have Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin but their body can't use it effectively and as a result the outcome is the same – higher levels of blood sugar. It is obvious that since the causes are different, there is a different approach in treating both types of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is not a disease of the immune system, it is a disease of the way of life. Intake of insulin is not necessary with Type 2 diabetes because most of its bad effects can be neutralized, or even reversed by a healthy diet, weight loss (if the patient is obese) and a more active lifestyle.

The third form of diabetes – gestational diabetes is very rare and it occurs only in pregnant women. It is estimated that under 5% of all pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes. Its symptoms are similar to those of Type 2 diabetes. Although most often gestational diabetes disappears after delivery, it is a signal to watch out because many women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. But the fact that usually gestational diabetes disappears after the delivery does not mean that no attention should be paid to it. On the contrary, if gestational diabetes is left untreated, there are many risks both for the mother and the child.