Types of Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus describes a set of conditions, each with its own definition and its own treatment.

Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of glucose intolerance diagnosed in some women occurs during pregnancy. Although the exact cause is not known, it may be caused by hormones or genetics. Gestational diabetes occurs more frequently among African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and American Indians. It is also more common among obese women with a family history of diabetes. During pregnancy, gestational diabetes requires treatment to normalize maternal blood glucose levels to avoid complications in the infant. After pregnancy, 5-10% of women with gestational diabetes are found to have type 2 diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20-50% chance of developing diabetes in the next 5-10 years. For this reason, physicians often recommend that patients with gestational diabetes have blood glucose levels checked periodically, even after the pregnancy.

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, previously referred to as either Juvenile Diabetes or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), is a condition where the body does not produce insulin. It is caused by an autoimmune response; in other words, the body's immune system destroyed the insulin producing beta cells. The beta cells are the only cells in the body that make the hormone insulin that regulates blood glucose. There is no cure, and treatment includes insulin, carbohydrate counting (measuring the grams of carbohydrates consumed), activity level or exercise, and blood glucose monitoring. Current practice is to administer insulin via injection or insulin pump. Carbohydrates are "counted" or measured and insulin is adjusted according to the grams of carbohydrate consumed. Other factors that must be considered when adjusting insulin is activity level. Each person with Type 1 diabetes is given an individual plan to help them manage their blood glucose level.

Type 1 diabetes usually strikes children and young adults, but it can develop at any age. Type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Risk factors may be autoimmune, genetic, or environmental (although this is still under investigation). There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but several clinical trials to prevent type 1 diabetes are currently in progress.

Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, formerly adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), is a condition where the body does not respond to its the body's the body's insulin, or the body does not make enough insulin. It usually begins as insulin resistance, a disorder in which the cells do not use insulin properly. As the need for insulin rises, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is found in adults, teens and children. Treatment includes limiting the grams of carbohydrates consumed, increasing activity levels, and may also include medications or losing weight.

Other Types of Diabetes
Other types of diabetes result from specific genetic conditions (such as maturity-onset diabetes of youth), surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses. Such types of diabetes account for less than 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.