How Many Types Of Diabetes Are There

June 9, 2022

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What Types Of Diabetes Require Insulin

How Many Types of Diabetes Are There?

People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin to live. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body has attacked your pancreas, destroying the cells that make insulin. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas makes insulin, but it doesnt work as it should. In some people with Type 2 diabetes, insulin may be needed to help glucose move from your bloodstream to your bodys cells where its needed for energy. You may or may not need insulin if you have gestational diabetes. If you are pregnant or have Type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider will check your blood glucose level, assess other risk factors and determine a treatment approach which may include a combination of lifestyle changes, oral medications and insulin. Each person is unique and so is your treatment plan.

Central Diabetes Insipidus Is The Most Common Form

Central diabetes insipidus is the most common form of DI because it occurs in all population demographics. There are genetic versions of this disease and it can be caused by an injury as well. To some extent, every person on the planet is at some level of risk of developing this form of DI every day.

How is it caused? The genetic version of central diabetes insipidus is caused by a direct transfer of a faulty gene from parent to child. It is usually from the father, but can also come from the mother or both parents. The signs and symptoms of this disease can be present at birth.

The most common reason for this version DI to occur, however, is through surgery. 1 in 5 people who have a surgery, especially near the pituitary gland, will develop this disease. An injury, inflammation, a tumor, or even an illness like tuberculosis or meningitis can also cause diabetes insipidus to develop.

What happens with this version of the disease is the hypothalamus doesnt tell the pituitary gland to make enough of the hormone that is needed. This means that the kidneys always think that the fluids need to be taken out of the blood stream so that it can be converted to urine and then expelled. In return, people with central diabetes insipidus feel consistently thirsty because their kidneys are taking out too much water.

What Are The Consequences

Diabetes can have a variety of acute and long-term problems. Moreover, extreme highs or lows in blood sugar can be life-threatening.

In addition to the potential for medical emergencies, diabetes can have many long-term complications, such as

Kidney damage
Depression
Alzheimers disease

Although, every patient with diabetes will have a different experience, and the key is being diligent in managing your condition.

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Factors That Contribute Towards Type 2 Diabetes

Genes: Genetics can play a role in the cause of Type 2 diabetes. When one or both parents have diabetes, the risk of their children developing diabetes is increased. However, not all siblings may have the same risk, and some may not have any risk.

Inactivity: Individuals who are inactive or lead a sedentary lifestyle are at very high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. The reason is that the lack of physical inactivity lowers the effectiveness of insulin in reducing blood sugars.

Obesity: Today, obesity is probably the number one risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetesobesity results in insulin resistance and prolonged elevations in blood sugars. The good news is that obesity is a reversible disorder, and with weight loss, diabetes can resolve itself.

Medications: The use of certain medications can also lead to diabetes. Drugs like corticosteroids, antipsychotics, birth control pills, and drugs to treat high blood pressure can all cause elevated blood sugar.

Types Of Diabetes: Which Are You

Chances are, youve heard people talk about diabetes as if its a diagnosis where everyone living with diabetes shares the same symptoms, traits, and complications. In casual conversation, thats understandable since each type of diabetes is related to problems with blood glucose. However, if youre living with diabetes, you might need more information to work with even talking about diabetes as a disease with two types is an oversimplification.

Are you wondering where you can learn more about the different types of diabetes? Youre in luck: in this article, the pros at ADS will help you learn more about all four types of diabetes and their defining factors.

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What Is Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus, also called diabetes, is a term for several conditions involving how your body turns food into energy.

When you eat a carbohydrate, your body turns it into a sugar called glucose and sends that to your bloodstream. Your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps move glucose from your blood into your cells, which use it for energy.

When you have diabetes and donât get treatment, your body doesnât use insulin like it should. Too much glucose stays in your blood, a condition usually called high blood sugar. This can cause health problems that may be serious or even life-threatening.

Thereâs no cure for diabetes. But with treatment and lifestyle changes, you can live a long, healthy life.

Diabetes comes in different forms, depending on the cause.

What Are The Major Types Of Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the three main types of diabetes are diabetes type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. The CDC also mentions prediabetes as a type.

Diabetes type 1

Type 1 occurs when your immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, an autoimmune disease. Type 1 diabetes results in damaged pancreas cells that cant produce insulin. Without insulin, high blood sugar levels result.

About 5% to 10% of people with diabetes have type 1. With this type, symptoms of diabetes develop quickly and most often in children or young adults. However, it can occur at any age.

Symptoms include the following:

Having dry skin and sores that heal slowly
Having more infections than usual

Diabetes type 1 can be controlled by continuously monitoring blood sugar levels and taking insulin as needed. There are no known ways to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes type 2

Diabetes type 2 is the most common form. Approximately 90% to 95% of people with diabetes have type 2. With diabetes type 2, your body cant use insulin properly, which increases blood sugar levels.

While most commonly found in adults, children can also be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It can take years to develop and may not show symptoms. Its symptoms are similar to but milder than diabetes type 1. However, if left untreated, diabetes type 2 can cause complications that affect the eyes, heart, and feet.

Gestational diabetes

Prediabetes

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A Serious Complication Of Diabetes

Having increased glucose in the bloodstream for an extended period of time can affect different parts of the body. One of the most serious effects of high glucose levels is called diabetic ketoacidosis . DKA is an acute and serious side effect of high glucose levels that can lead to life-threatening consequences.

When the cells are not able to use the glucose in the blood, the liver tries to produce the energy for the body. It uses body fat to do this. When fat is oxidized for energy, the byproduct is ketones. The build-up of ketones causes the blood to be more acidic leading to diabetic ketoacidosis . The symptoms of DKA are thirst, frequent urination with high ketone levels, and high blood glucose. If you have any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Etiologic Classification Of Diabetes Mellitus Based On American Diabetes Association Criteria

Diabetes Types Explained

Type 1 diabetes

Immune mediated

Idiopathic

Type 2 diabetes

Other specific types

Genetic defects of ß-cell function

Chromosome 12, HNF-1

Others

Gestational diabetes mellitus

Patients with any form of diabetes may require insulin treatment at some stage of their disease. The use of insulin does not, of itself, classify the diabetes.

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Can Diabetes Cause Hair Loss

Yes, its possible for diabetes to cause hair loss. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to persistently high blood glucose levels. This, in turn, leads to blood vessel damage and restricted flow, and oxygen and nutrients cant get to the cells that need it including hair follicles. Stress can cause hormone level changes that affect hair growth. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks itself and can also cause a hair loss condition called alopecia areata.

What Are The Five Types Of Diabetes Under This New Classification

The five types of diabetes suggested by the researchers are as follows:

Severe autoimmune diabetes. This form is similar to type 1 diabetes. People in this category were relatively young when they were diagnosed, and they were not overweight. They had an autoimmune disease that prevented them from producing insulin.

Severe insulin-deficient diabetes. This is similar to severe autoimmune diabetes, as described above. People were relatively young when they were diagnosed, they were not overweight, and their bodies were not producing much if any insulin. However, importantly, it was determined by the researchers that their immune system was not the cause of these peoples disease this is because they did not have autoantibodies, which indicate a person has type 1 diabetes. The researchers arent sure why this happens, but they suspect that people in this group may have a deficiency in the cells that produce insulin.

Severe insulin-resistant diabetes. This type of diabetes occurred in people who were overweight and had high insulin resistance this means their bodies were making insulin, but their cells were not responding to it.

Mild obesity-related diabetes. This form of diabetes occurred in people who had a milder form of the disease, i.e. they did not have as much insulin resistance as those with severe insulin-resistant diabetes. They also tended to be overweight or obese.

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A Brief History Of Diabetes Management For Different Types Of Diabetes

All of the different types of diabetes we have discussed require blood glucose monitoring. Some require insulin immediately, and some require insulin in more advanced stages of the diabetes. The chart below gives you a quick look at the relatively recent timeline in diabetes treatment. It wasnât until the last 100 years that people with diabetes could live long and prosperous lives!

Maturity Onset Diabetes Of The Young

MODY is a rare form of diabetes which is different from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and runs strongly in families. MODY is caused by a mutation in a single gene. If a parent has this gene mutation, any child they have, has a 50 per cent chance of inheriting it from them. If a child does inherit the mutation they will generally go on to develop MODY before theyre 25, whatever their weight, lifestyle, ethnic group etc.

Find out more about maturity onset diabetes of the young

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How Does Diabetes Affect The Body

When someone has diabetes, their body cant maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy for our bodies. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long term and short term health complications.

For our bodies to work properly we need to convert sugars from food into energy. Sugars from food are converted into glucose. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body. When people with diabetes eat foods that contain sugars or starches, such as breads, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables and sweets, it cant be converted into energy and the level of glucose in their blood rises and is harmful to them.

Instead of being turned into energy the glucose stays in the blood resulting in high blood glucose levels. After eating, the glucose is carried around your body in your blood. Your blood glucose level is called glycaemia. Blood glucose levels can be monitored and managed through self care and treatment.

Three things you need to know about diabetes:

It is not one condition- there are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes
All types of diabetes are complex and require daily care and management
Diabetes does not discriminate, anyone can develop diabetes

How Does Diabetes Lead To Amputation

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to poor blood flow . Without oxygen and nutrients , you are more prone to the development of cuts and sores that can lead to infections that cant fully heal. Areas of your body that are farthest away from your heart are more likely to experience the effects of poor blood flow. So areas of your body like your toes, feet, legs and fingers are more likely to be amputated if infection develops and healing is poor.

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Specific Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes

Loss of weight.
Diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a serious condition due to a lack of insulin. It presents with ketones in the urine, marked dehydration, and altered mental status. It is a medical emergency.
The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes usually present much earlier in life, such as early childhood or the teenage years.

How Often Do I Need To See My Primary Diabetes Healthcare Professional

What Is Diabetes? | 2 Minute Guide | Diabetes UK

In general, if you are being treated with insulin shots, you should see your doctor at least every three to four months. If you are treated with pills or are managing diabetes through diet, you should be seen at least every four to six months. More frequent visits may be needed if your blood sugar is not controlled or if complications of diabetes are worsening.

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Type 1 Diabetes Accounts For About 5

It is diagnosed in every ethnic group, but is most frequent in individuals of European ancestry.
While type 1 diabetes is commonly diagnosed during adolescence and early adulthood, it can occur at any age. Older people who develop type 1 diabetes are often misdiagnosed as having Type 2 diabetes.
Most people first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are lean.
85-90% will have no known family history of the disease.
There are many theories about what causes type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune disease, viral infection, genetic disposition, and environmental factors may all play a role.
There is a hereditary component to type 1 diabetes however, it is still difficult to predict who will develop it. Among identical twins , it is traditionally reported that only about 40% will both have the disease. Recent research suggests that the number may be much higher.
Markers in your blood and the presence of certain gene types, coupled with test results, can help predict who might develop diabetes.
Diabetes researchers are seeking ways to identify both high-risk individuals and ways to protect them. Read more about Type 1 Research.

How Many Types Of Diabetes Are There Really

You may have heard of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the news and on social media, but how many types of diabetes are there really?

Turns out, there are many. This article will explain all of the different types of diabetes, how common they are, and how theyre treated.

How can you prevent diabetes?

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What Are The Different Types Of Diabetes

The types of diabetes are:

Type 1 diabetes: This type is an autoimmune disease, meaning your body attacks itself. In this case, the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are destroyed. Up to 10% of people who have diabetes have Type 1. Its usually diagnosed in children and young adults . It was once better known as juvenile diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. This is why it is also called insulin-dependent diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes: With this type, your body either doesnt make enough insulin or your bodys cells dont respond normally to the insulin. This is the most common type of diabetes. Up to 95% of people with diabetes have Type 2. It usually occurs in middle-aged and older people. Other common names for Type 2 include adult-onset diabetes and insulin-resistant diabetes. Your parents or grandparents may have called it having a touch of sugar.
Prediabetes: This type is the stage before Type 2 diabetes. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be officially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes: This type develops in some women during their pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes you’re at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Less common types of diabetes include:

Diabetes insipidus is a distinct rare condition that causes your kidneys to produce a large amount of urine.

What Is Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome

6 Types Of Diabetes Found in Adults and Kids

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome develops more slowly than diabetic ketoacidosis. It occurs in patients with Type 2 diabetes, especially the elderly and usually occurs when patients are ill or stressed.If you have HHNS, you blood glucose level is typically greater than 600 mg/dL. Symptoms include frequent urination, drowsiness, lack of energy and dehydration. HHNS is not associated with ketones in the blood. It can cause coma or death. Youll need to be treated in the hospital.

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Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults is sometimes known as type 1.5 diabetes because the signs and symptoms of it seem to cross between both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

This form of diabetes is almost always diagnosed in adults, between the ages of 30-50, and the symptoms come on much more slowly than type 1 , but are more aggressive than the symptoms of type 2, with extreme thirst, frequent urination, and rapid weight loss being chief among them.

People with LADA often start out on oral diabetes medications such as Metformin and eventually transition over to insulin as their blood sugars elevate higher.

People with LADA graduate to insulin much faster than someone with type 2 diabetes ever would.