The 3 Diabetes Types

A great many people in the world today are suffering from various types of Diabetes. Diabetes, however, is not a general term for just one illness. There are three types of Diabetes that are known as Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes. To better understand and relate to the people around you who may have one of the three diabetes types, read the following information that briefly outlines the three types of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes is when an individual’s body does not produce insulin at all. Type 1 Diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes, or early-onset diabetes. These names are commonly coined because Type 1 Diabetes is most common among individuals who are under 40 years old, or who are in their early adulthood or teenage years. Almost 10% of all diabetes cases are Type 1. However, it is not as frequently found as Type 2 Diabetes. Patients who have Type 1 Diabetes will generally have to rely on insulin injections for the remainder of their lives. They will need to take extra care of their diet and monitor their glucose levels by performing regular tests.

Type 2 Diabetes: This is when the patient’s body does not produce enough insulin in order for it to function as it should, or when the cells are not reacting as they should to insulin. Type 2 Diabetes is also known as Insulin Resistance. About 90% of all diabetes cases are diagnosed as type 2 Diabetes.

Those who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of falling prey to Type 2 Diabetes than those who are fit and health-conscious. When a person has become overweight or obese because of a lack of physical activity, stress, or poor eating habits the body releases chemicals that destabilize the body’s cardiovascular and metabolic systems. As a person gets older and more physically inactive, they run a greater risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is progressive and gradually gets worse, causing a person with later stages to depend on insulin, usually in tablet forms.

Those with Type 2 Diabetes can avoid severe setbacks by monitoring their diet, especially their sugar intake. Special diet sugars like Xylitol are 100% natural and provide a good alternative to sugar for those who are diabetic. Xylitol has the same taste like sugar but contains fewer calories. A prescription drug known as Metformin is also effective for easing the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes. Metformin is the only anti-diabetic drug that has been conclusively known to prevent cardiovascular complications that are usually a part of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes is a diabetes type that takes place when a woman is pregnant and has high levels of glucose. Because there is such a high level of glucose in the blood, the body is not able to produce the right amount of insulin to transport all the glucose into its cells. The result of this is that the levels of glucose progressively rise. Only 10% to 20% of women with gestational diabetes need to take blood-glucose controlling medications to prevent the risk of complications during their delivery.