Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

In the past it was referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes because diabetic persons with type 1 diabetes are truly dependent on daily insulin injections to survive. Type 1 diabetes is the most severe form of the types of disease as it requires daily injections of insulin because the body does not produce the insulin. Fortunately this severe type of diabetes represents a minority of diabetic cases accounting for about 10% of all diabetics.

Usually diagnosed in persons under the age of 40 and most often in their childhood or young adult years, type 1 diabetes has also been referred to as infant diabetes.

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes:

Viruses
Diet
Genetically Predisposed

Type 2 Diabetes

Approximately 90% of all diabetics have the type of diabetes commonly referred to as type 2 diabetes. Unlike other types of diabetes type 2 can often be treated without injections. Diabetic persons with type 2 can be treated with insulin pills, but injections may be required if the disease escalates. In this form diabetes is due to a lower than average insulin production in one’s body usually accompanied with a resistance to the natural affects of insulin.

Type 2 diabetics are 2X more likely to suffer major cardiovascular diseases and may not be diagnosed until late into their lives.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes:

Excess Weight
Inactivity
Diet
High Blood Pressure
Genetically Predisposed

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a unique among the types of diabetes as it only affects women and only develops during a pregnancy. GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus) is simply the body’s intolerance towards carbohydrates. In the United States 4% (1 out of 25) women develop GDM during their pregnancy and it is diagnosed with a glucose tolerance test. Although the intolerance for carbohydrates usually returns to normal after the pregnancy, the mother remains at an elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the child is prone to obesity, less than average glucose tolerance and diabetes later in life.