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NOTE:
unless noted otherwise, all medical/health advice has been given by non-medically qualified personnel. All advice given on this site is designed to support and not replace any advice given by your personal physician. If you have questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your diabetes, please consult your diabetes care team.
unless noted otherwise, all medical/health advice has been given by non-medically qualified personnel. All advice given on this site is designed to support and not replace any advice given by your personal physician. If you have questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your diabetes, please consult your diabetes care team.
Knowing which type of diabetes you have will help you to understand your
treatment better. If you are not sure which type of diabetes you have, then
ask your doctor or nurse.
There are three main types of diabetes:
All types of diabetes have the common hallmark of a high blood glucose level, which is caused by a complete or partial lack of insulin, but the root of the cause is slightly different in each case.
For a detailed list of all the various types and causes of diabetes, see Classification of Diabetes.
Here, we look at the more familiar types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)
Type 1 diabetes, previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for about 10 % of all cases of diabetes. It usually develops in childhood, although it can occur at any time from infancy to the mid-to-late 30s, and sometimes even later in life. In this form of diabetes, the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed, which results in a complete lack of insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes are not usually obese.
This type of diabetes in children and young people tends to develop quickly and the symptoms are more severe. When Type 1 diabetes occurs in adulthood the beta cell destruction often happens more slowly and the symptoms are less obvious.
In most cases, the beta cells are destroyed as a result of an autoimmune response - for some reason the body's immune system specifically attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas.
The only treatment for Type 1 diabetes is the administration of insulin. Insulin is a protein hormone and is destroyed by enzymes in the digestive system, so cannot be taken by mouth as tablets or medicine. It therefore has to be administered by injection or sometimes by a pump.
Balancing diet, exercise and insulin dosage is the key to effective management of Type 1 diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, usually occurs after the age of 35 years and is more common in people who are overweight. In this form of diabetes, the body does not use its insulin very well and often not enough insulin is produced to keep the blood glucose level consistently in the normal range.
This type of diabetes tends to develop very slowly over a period of years and may go unnoticed. If symptoms are present they are usually relatively mild.
In most cases, Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. This means that the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. Because the insulin doesn't work so effectively, more insulin is needed to do the same amount of work in terms of keeping blood glucose levels within normal limits. If the beta cells in the pancreas just can't produce enough insulin to do this then Type 2 diabetes results.
The treatment for Type 2 diabetes depends largely on the individual situation.
Obesity causes insulin resistance, so the first line of attack for people who have diabetes and are overweight is usually dietary control and a weight loss program. Physical activity also makes the body's cells more responsive to insulin. Most people are therefore treated by "Diet and Exercise" when newly diagnosed.
If the Diet and Exercise approach is unsuccessful then there are a number of oral medications (tablets) that can be used to help blood glucose control in Type 2 diabetes. These either increase the production of insulin or help the body to use the insulin more effectively.
The right combination of diet, exercise and adequate medication when needed is the key to effective management of Type 2 diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It occurs in up to 4 % of all pregnancies in the general population (i.e. 1 in 20).
Hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy cause insulin resistance in the mother. This means that the mother needs to produce extra insulin in order to keep blood glucose levels within normal limits. If the body cannot produce sufficient insulin during pregnancy, then gestational diabetes results. Insulin resistance increases drastically after the 24th week of pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes shares many characteristics of Type 2 diabetes but it is not Type 2 diabetes and it will usually disappear after the birth. Sometimes, either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes may be 'unmasked' by the added stresses on the female body during pregnancy - in which case, the diabetes remains after the baby has been born.
Although the diabetes usually goes away after the birth, there is an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes again in future pregnancies and of developing Type 2 diabetes in later life.
High blood glucose levels can be dangerous to the baby and may lead to a number of possible complications with the pregnancy. So, it is vitally important for the health of the baby - and for the mother - that the blood glucose level should remain as near normal as possible. For this reason the diagnosis criteria for gestational diabetes are slightly more strict than they are for other types of diabetes.
Treatment of gestational diabetes is usually through diet and exercise. Sometimes insulin injections are required for the duration of the pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) - previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) - previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
- Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)
- Diabetes induced by certain medications or chemicals
- Diabetes caused by other disease of the pancreas
- Diabetes associated with other hormone conditions
All types of diabetes have the common hallmark of a high blood glucose level, which is caused by a complete or partial lack of insulin, but the root of the cause is slightly different in each case.
For a detailed list of all the various types and causes of diabetes, see Classification of Diabetes.
Here, we look at the more familiar types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)
Type 1 diabetes, previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for about 10 % of all cases of diabetes. It usually develops in childhood, although it can occur at any time from infancy to the mid-to-late 30s, and sometimes even later in life. In this form of diabetes, the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed, which results in a complete lack of insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes are not usually obese.
This type of diabetes in children and young people tends to develop quickly and the symptoms are more severe. When Type 1 diabetes occurs in adulthood the beta cell destruction often happens more slowly and the symptoms are less obvious.
In most cases, the beta cells are destroyed as a result of an autoimmune response - for some reason the body's immune system specifically attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas.
The only treatment for Type 1 diabetes is the administration of insulin. Insulin is a protein hormone and is destroyed by enzymes in the digestive system, so cannot be taken by mouth as tablets or medicine. It therefore has to be administered by injection or sometimes by a pump.
Balancing diet, exercise and insulin dosage is the key to effective management of Type 1 diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes
- Heredity. If you have a close relative (parent or sibling) with Type 1 diabetes then you are at an increased risk of developing the condition.
- Race. Type 1 diabetes strikes people of every race, but it is more common in some white populations - especially Northern European - and less common in, for example, people of Asian origin.
- Age. Approximately half of people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes are under 20. Peak incidence is at about 11 years of age.
Type 2 diabetes, previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, usually occurs after the age of 35 years and is more common in people who are overweight. In this form of diabetes, the body does not use its insulin very well and often not enough insulin is produced to keep the blood glucose level consistently in the normal range.
This type of diabetes tends to develop very slowly over a period of years and may go unnoticed. If symptoms are present they are usually relatively mild.
In most cases, Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. This means that the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. Because the insulin doesn't work so effectively, more insulin is needed to do the same amount of work in terms of keeping blood glucose levels within normal limits. If the beta cells in the pancreas just can't produce enough insulin to do this then Type 2 diabetes results.
The treatment for Type 2 diabetes depends largely on the individual situation.
Obesity causes insulin resistance, so the first line of attack for people who have diabetes and are overweight is usually dietary control and a weight loss program. Physical activity also makes the body's cells more responsive to insulin. Most people are therefore treated by "Diet and Exercise" when newly diagnosed.
If the Diet and Exercise approach is unsuccessful then there are a number of oral medications (tablets) that can be used to help blood glucose control in Type 2 diabetes. These either increase the production of insulin or help the body to use the insulin more effectively.
The right combination of diet, exercise and adequate medication when needed is the key to effective management of Type 2 diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
- Heredity. Type 2 diabetes often runs in families.
- Race. A number of populations are at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, including: Hispanics, Native Americans, people of Asian or African- Caribbean descent, people of Aboriginal descent and Pacific Islander groups.
- Age. Nearly all people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are over 30 years old. Half of all new cases are aged 55 and older.
- Obesity. Insulin resistance increases with body weight.
- High-fat diet. A key cause of obesity.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Insulin resistance increases with lack of exercise.
- Women who have had gestational diabetes. Previous gestational diabetes increases risk of Type 2 diabetes developing later on in life.
- Women who have given birth to babies weighing 9 pounds or more.
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It occurs in up to 4 % of all pregnancies in the general population (i.e. 1 in 20).
Hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy cause insulin resistance in the mother. This means that the mother needs to produce extra insulin in order to keep blood glucose levels within normal limits. If the body cannot produce sufficient insulin during pregnancy, then gestational diabetes results. Insulin resistance increases drastically after the 24th week of pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes shares many characteristics of Type 2 diabetes but it is not Type 2 diabetes and it will usually disappear after the birth. Sometimes, either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes may be 'unmasked' by the added stresses on the female body during pregnancy - in which case, the diabetes remains after the baby has been born.
Although the diabetes usually goes away after the birth, there is an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes again in future pregnancies and of developing Type 2 diabetes in later life.
High blood glucose levels can be dangerous to the baby and may lead to a number of possible complications with the pregnancy. So, it is vitally important for the health of the baby - and for the mother - that the blood glucose level should remain as near normal as possible. For this reason the diagnosis criteria for gestational diabetes are slightly more strict than they are for other types of diabetes.
Treatment of gestational diabetes is usually through diet and exercise. Sometimes insulin injections are required for the duration of the pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
- Obesity. Insulin resistance increases with body weight.
- Heredity. If you have a close relative (parent or sibling) with Type 2 diabetes then you are at an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes.
- Race. A number of populations are at increased risk of gestational diabetes, including: Hispanics, Native Americans, people of Asian or African-Caribbean descent, people of Aboriginal descent and Pacific Islander groups.
- Age. Gestational diabetes is more common in pregnant women > 25 years.
- Previous gestational diabetes.
- Previous birth of a baby weighing 9 pounds or more.
- Pregnant women at high risk of developing gestational diabetes should ideally be tested as soon as possible after the pregnancy has been confirmed, and then again between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.
