The Different Types of Diabetes, and What They All Mean
What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a condition that impairs the body’s ability to process blood glucose, otherwise known as blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. With diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make.
Without ongoing, careful management, diabetes can lead to a buildup of sugars in the blood, which can increase the risk of dangerous complications, including stroke and heart disease. Different kinds of diabetes can occur, and managing the condition depends on the type. Not all forms of diabetes stem from a person being overweight or leading an inactive lifestyle. In fact, some are present from childhood.
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Types of diabetes
There are three major diabetes types that can develop. Those are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Also known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease. This type of diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. Those who have type 1 diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive. It is estimated that around 10 percent of people who have diabetes have type 1.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 affects the way your body uses insulin, and occurs when sugar begins to build up in your blood. This also means that your body has become resistant to insulin. Though while your body still makes insulin, unlike in type 1, the cells in the body do not respond to it as effectively as they once did. This is the most common type of diabetes, and has strong links to obesity.
Gestational diabetes
This type occurs in women during pregnancy when the body can become less sensitive to insulin. Gestational diabetes does not occur in all women and usually resolves after giving birth.
Less common types of diabetes include monogenic diabetes and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes
The symptoms that you can experience when you have any type of diabetes are caused by rising blood sugar in your body. Diabetes symptoms can be so mild that they’re hard to spot at first. So knowing the general symptoms of diabetes, as well as they specific symptoms for the three major types, can give you a huge advantage to catching your diabetes early on.
General diabetes symptoms
The general symptoms of diabetes include:
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Increased hunger
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Increased thirst
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Weight loss
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Frequent urination
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Blurry vision
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Extreme fatigue
Type 1 diabetes
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes can include:
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Extreme hunger
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Increased thirst
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Unintentional weight loss
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Frequent urination
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Blurry vision
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Tiredness
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It may also result in mood changes.
Type 2 diabetes
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:
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Increased hunger
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Increased thirst
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Increased urination
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Blurry vision
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Tiredness
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It may also cause recurring infections because elevated glucose levels make it harder for the body to heal.
Gestational diabetes
Most women with gestational diabetes don’t have any symptoms. The condition is often detected during a routine blood sugar test or oral glucose tolerance test that is usually performed between the 24th and 28th weeks of gestation. In rare cases, a woman with gestational diabetes will also experience increased thirst or urination.
What causes it?
The causes of diabetes can vary based on which type of diabetes you have. However it is known that both genes and environmental factors can play a role in triggering both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Whereas pregnancy, in addition to other factors, is the main cause for gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
It is unknown exactly what causes type 1 diabetes. For some reason, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. However, genes may play a role in some cases for certain people. It’s also possible that a virus sets off the immune system attack.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes stems from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight or obese increases your risk too. Carrying extra weight, especially in your stomach, makes your cells more resistant to the effects of insulin on your blood sugar. This condition runs in families, making it more likely for you to get type 2 diabetes and to be overweight if someone in your family has it.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is the result of hormonal changes during pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones that make a pregnant woman’s cells less sensitive to the effects of insulin, and this can cause high blood sugar during pregnancy. Women who are overweight when they get pregnant or who gain too much weight during their pregnancy are more likely to get gestational diabetes.
What are some risk factors?
Similar to the causes of diabetes, there are a variety of different risk factors that comes along with it. While the risks themselves vary from each type of diabetes, it is important to still know what they are. It is also important to note that your family, environment, and preexisting medical conditions can all affect your odds of developing diabetes.
Type 1
You’re more at risk for type 1 diabetes if you:
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Are a child or teenager,
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You have a parent or sibling with the condition
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You carry certain genes that are linked to the disease
Type 2
You’re more at risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
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Are overweight
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Age 45 or older
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Have a parent or sibling with the condition
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Aren’t physically active
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Have had gestational diabetes
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Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
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Have African American, Hispanic or Latino American, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or Asian American ancestry
Gestational diabetes
Your risk for gestational diabetes increases if you:
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Are overweight
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Over age 25
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Had gestational diabetes during a past pregnancy
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Have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
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Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
Complications associated with diabetes
Any of the three different types of diabetes can lead to serious medical complications if you do not manage your diabetes. However managing the condition with certain lifestyle and diet changes is easier than you think. Though it may take time and patience, it is worth it in the end.
Type 1 & 2
High blood sugar damages organs and tissues throughout your body. The higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater your risk for complications. Some of the complications that come along with type 1 and 2 diabetes include:
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Heart disease, heart attack or strokes
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Neuropathy
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Loss of hearing and/or vision
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Foot damage
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Skin conditions
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Depression
Gestational
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to problems that affect both the mother and baby. Complications affecting the baby can include:
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Increased risk for type 2 diabetes later in life
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Stillbirth
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Premature birth
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Higher than normal weight at birth
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Low blood sugar
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Jaundice
The mother can develop complications such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. She may also require a C-section delivery. The mother’s risk of gestational diabetes in future pregnancies also increases.
Diabetes and diet
Like any other health condition, eating healthy is a central part of managing your diabetes. In some cases, changing your diet may be enough to control the disease. Once you know which diabetes type you fall under, you can begin to incorporate these diet and lifestyle changes into your daily routine.
Type 1 diabetes
Your blood sugar level rises or falls based on the types of foods you eat. Starchy or sugary foods make blood sugar levels rise rapidly, and protein and fat cause more gradual increases. Additionally, it may be ideal that you limit the amount of carbohydrates you eat each day and balance your carb intake with your insulin doses. Getting the right balance of protein, fat, and carbs can help you control your blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes
Eating the right types of foods can both control your blood sugar and help you lose any excess weight. Carb counting is an important part of eating for type 2 diabetes. In order to keep your blood sugar levels steady, try to eat small meals throughout the day. Emphasize healthy foods such as:
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Lean protein such as poultry and fish
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Fruits
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Vegetables
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Whole grains
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Healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts
Certain other foods can undermine efforts to keep your blood sugar in control.
Gestational diabetes
Eating a well-balanced diet is important for both you and your baby during these nine months. Making the right food choices can also help you avoid diabetes medications. Watch your portion sizes, and limit sugary or salty foods. Although you need some sugar to feed your growing baby, you should avoid eating too much.
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Diabetes is a life-changing condition that requires careful blood sugar management and a healthy lifestyle for a person to be able to manage it correctly. There are several different types of the disease.
Extra tips about diabetes
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Try to engage in at least 30 minutes exercise a day on at least 5 days of the week, such as of walking, aerobics, riding a bike, or swimming.
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Recognize the signs of low blood sugar when exercising, including dizziness, confusion, weakness, and profuse sweating.
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Try to avoid high-sugar foods that provide empty calories, or calories that do not have other nutritional benefits, such as sweetened sodas, fried foods, and high-sugar desserts.
