Types of Diabetes

Type I Diabetes

A form of diabetes mellitus. This type of diabetes is also called Insulin dependent diabetes. In Type I Diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin because insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed. With little or no insulin, the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels. Those who have Type I Diabetes must take daily injections of insulin to survive. It can occur at any age, but begins most often in children or young adults. The risk of developing Type I Diabetes is higher than almost all other severe chronic childhood diseases. The peak years of incidence occur during puberty (girls 10-12, boys 12-14). The symptoms can mimic the flu in children. For more information, see the symptoms or risk factors.

Type II Diabetes

A form of diabetes mellitus. This type of diabetes is also called adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes. In Type II Diabetes, the body produces insulin, but it is either not enough or the body’s cells have become insulin resistant. In other words, the body does not use the insulin that is being produced. It can come on so gradually that it may not even be noticed. Many people with Type II Diabetes do not have any symptoms of the disease. Some, but not all Type II Diabetics have to take insulin to regulate their blood glucose levels, while others are able to use exercise and diet, or a combination of these and oral medications. This type has historically been most often seen after the age of 40, but it can occur at any age. In fact, the occurrence of Type II diabetes is now being seen at younger and younger ages, and according to the CDC is even being diagnosed in children and teens.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of Type II diabetes that some women experience during pregnancy. It is essentially high blood sugar. (Diabetes Mellitus) Hormone changes that occur during pregnancy adversly affect insulin’s ability to convert glucose properly, which results in high levels of glucose in the blood. It occurs in 2 to 5 percent of all pregnancies. The condition usually ends after childbirth, and the blood glucose levels return to normal. Both the women who suffer from this and the children they carry have a greater risk of developing diabetes later in life. Approximately 40 percent of those women who develop gestational diabetes who were also obese before they were pregnant develop Type 2 diabetes in less than 4 years

Other Types of Diabetes

Less common forms of diabetes result from “genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses,” according to the CDC. One form is diabetes insipidus. This form of diabetes does not involve insulin at all. For information and support groups on this type of diabetes, see this newsgroup archive or the Diabetes Insipidus Foundation, Inc. website.