Types of Diabetes - Endocrine Metabolic Medical Center

Resources

Resources
Patient Forms
E-Newsletter Sign-Up
E-Newsletter Archives
Clinical Information
Collateral Material
The Dental Connection
Favorite Links
Diabetes Blog
Community
Dr. Joe's Book

What are the different types of diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (once known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile diabetes) is considered an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body's system for fighting infection (the immune system) turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Someone with Type 1 diabetes needs daily injections of insulin. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States.

Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children and young adults, but the disorder can appear at any age. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes usually develop over a short period, although beta cell destruction can begin years earlier.

Type 2 Diabetes

The most common form of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes (once known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM). About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 40 and is most common among adults over age 55, but we are now seeing it in children as young as 3 or 4 years of age.. About 80 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight.

In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually produces insulin, but for some reason, the body cannot use the insulin effectively. The end result is the same as for Type 1 diabetes--an unhealthy buildup of glucose in the blood and an inability of the body to make efficient use of its main source of fuel.

Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

GDM is a kind of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy. GDM usually develops during the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy and will probably go away when the baby is born. Like Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, GDM means your body cannot use the energy from the food you eat. Without the help of insulin, sugar stays in the blood instead of entering your cells where it can be used for energy.

Page 311
Last Updated:01/01/07
Website design by Wet Dog