Types of Diabetes
The three main types of diabetes are:
Type 1 diabetes
A person with Type 1 diabetes can't make any insulin. This is an autoimmune disease results when the body’s system for fighting infection—the immune system—turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.
The origins of Type 1 are not fully understood, but it is believed that autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors, possibly viruses, are involved. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. Type 1 most often occurs before age 30, but may strike at any age. Type 1 can be caused by a genetic disorder.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. It makes up most of diabetes cases and usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. This form of diabetes is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and certain ethnicities. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but the body does not respond well to insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result is the same as for type 1 diabetes—glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes. Women who have gestational diabetes are at high risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life, even Gestational Diabetes usually disappears after the birth of the baby. Maintaining a reasonable body weight and being physically active may help prevent development of type 2 diabetes.
About 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes. As with type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs more often in some ethnic groups and among women with a family history of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. Women with gestational diabetes may not experience any symptoms.
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
A person with Type 1 diabetes can't make any insulin. This is an autoimmune disease results when the body’s system for fighting infection—the immune system—turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.
The origins of Type 1 are not fully understood, but it is believed that autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors, possibly viruses, are involved. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. Type 1 most often occurs before age 30, but may strike at any age. Type 1 can be caused by a genetic disorder.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. It makes up most of diabetes cases and usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. This form of diabetes is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and certain ethnicities. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but the body does not respond well to insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result is the same as for type 1 diabetes—glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes. Women who have gestational diabetes are at high risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life, even Gestational Diabetes usually disappears after the birth of the baby. Maintaining a reasonable body weight and being physically active may help prevent development of type 2 diabetes.
About 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes. As with type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs more often in some ethnic groups and among women with a family history of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. Women with gestational diabetes may not experience any symptoms.
