Different Types of Diabetes
Diabetes can be classified into three different types depending upon the cause and symptoms of diabetes. The different types of diabetes can affect anyone right from a child to an adult. There are three major types of diabetes that include:
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is also called as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes. This type of diabetes is caused when the body is unable to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is considered to be an autoimmune disease since the body's immune system attacks and destroys it's own cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
This is least common of the types of diabetes that affects only 5-15 percent of the diabetic population. This type of diabetes is most common in Non-Hispanic whites, African Americans and Hispanic Americans. It is slightly more common in men than women. Though this type of diabetes can appear at any age, it is most commonly seen in the people below 40.
The exact cause of this type of diabetes is unknown but there are many factors that can increase the risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. They include:
- Hereditary
- Infection with environment factors like viruses or bacteria
- Poor diet
- Exposure to chemicals
- Abnormal secretion of some hormones in blood that act as antagonists to insulin
The symptoms of this type of diabetes may appear slowly over a short period of time. They may include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Weight loss
People with this type of diabetes must inject themselves with insulin every day in order to control their blood sugar levels. They should also follow a careful diet and perform a regular exercise. If not treated with insulin, the people with type 1 diabetes may die.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is also referred to as non insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. This type of diabetes develops when the body produces enough insulin but doesn't use it effectively. This condition in which the insulin produced does not work properly is called insulin resistance.
This is the most common of the type of diabetes and affects about 90-95 percent of the diabetic population. This type of diabetes is most common in Hispanic Americans, Japanese Americans, African Americans and Native Americans. This type of diabetes usually appears in the people over 40.
There are number of risk factors that increase the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. They include:
- Obesity or Being overweight
- Increasing age
- High blood pressure
- High blood triglyceride levels
- Physical inactivity
- High fat diet
- Excessive intake of alcohol
- Gestational diabetes
Some people with Type 2 diabetes experience no symptoms. In others the symptoms develop slowly and may include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Weight gain or loss
- Frequent infections
- Slow healing of wounds
Type 2 diabetes does not require insulin injections. It can be treated by a regular exercise, pranayama, dietary changes and oral medications.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy. This type of diabetes occurs in 2-5 percent of all pregnancies and generally disappears after the childbirth. It is most common in Hispanic Americans, African Americans and American Indians. Women with gestational diabetes have an increased chance of developing Type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years.
The risk factors that increase the chance of developing gestational diabetes include:
- Family history of diabetes
- Obesity
- Increased mother's age
This type of diabetes does not require any special treatment as it can be treated by self-care and dietary changes.