Four Types Of Diabetes! Which Are You?
Overview
Type 1 Diabetes Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that unlocks the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with Diabetes have type 1 Diabetes.
Having type 1 Diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 1 Diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy).
Key Information
Type 2 Diabetes Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with Diabetes have type 2 Diabetes.
Having type 2 Diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 2 Diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy). Learn more about these complications and how to cope with them.
What You Need to Know
Gestational Diabetes Gestational Diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.
Because gestational Diabetes can hurt you and your baby, you need to start treatment quickly. Treatment for gestational Diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of pregnant women who don't have gestational Diabetes. Treatment for gestational Diabetes always includes special meal plans and scheduled physical activity. It may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections. You will need help from your doctor, nurse educator, and other members of your health care team so that your treatment for gestational Diabetes can be changed as needed.
For the mother-to-be, treatment for gestational Diabetes helps lower the risk of a cesarean section birth that very large babies may require. Sticking with your treatment for gestational Diabetes will give you a healthy pregnancy and birth, and may help your baby avoid future poor health. (see Diabetes Symptoms)
Pre-Diabetes Pre-Diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 Diabetes. There are 41 million Americans who have pre-Diabetes, in addition to the 20.8 million with Diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body cannot regulate blood sugar properly. Management involves a combination of medication, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and blood sugar monitoring. Type 1 requires insulin therapy, while Type 2 can often be managed with lifestyle changes plus oral medications or insulin.
For many people, significant weight loss, a low-carbohydrate diet, and regular exercise can put Type 2 diabetes into remission - meaning blood sugar returns to normal without medication. This is not a cure, but sustained lifestyle change can dramatically improve outcomes and delay complications.
People with diabetes benefit from limiting refined sugars, white bread, sugary drinks, processed foods, and high-glycaemic-index carbohydrates. Focus instead on non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. Portion control and consistent meal timing are equally important.
Frequency depends on type and treatment. Those on insulin may check 4-10 times daily. Those managing with diet or oral medication might check once or twice daily, or less. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) provides real-time data without finger-prick testing. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance.
See a doctor if you experience unexplained thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, or persistent fatigue. Those already diagnosed should have check-ups every 3-6 months for HbA1c, blood pressure, kidney function, eye exams, and foot checks.
Share this article