Diabetes Info

Types of Diabetes

November 15th, 2007 | by admin |

Diabetes Mellitus, a chronic condition resulting from insufficient release of the insulin hormone in the body and hence leading to a high blood sugar level, is caused due to a number of factors such as sedentary lifestyle, hereditary and genetic factors, age of the person, nutritional intake etc. The result, however, varies from severity of the condition. Accordingly, there are three types of diabetes that may attack a person.

Type 1 Diabetes is a condition where the body stops producing the insulin essential to manage the blood sugar levels of the body. This is so because the glucose is not being absorbed by the cells, which is the main function of insulin, and is only building up in the bloodstream. This is also called juvenile diabetes but can also occur to adults. If not treated properly, it can cause serious long-term complications.

Type 2 Diabetes is the more common one and is seen among the adults more often (from the age to 35+ usually). Here, the insulin secretion by the pancreas is too less and it might be possible that the body fails to react to it. The result, however, is the same, i.e., non-utilization of glucose, the cells being deprived of energy, and unusual piling up of glucose in the bloodstream, thereby increasing the blood sugar levels. This type of diabetes is usually genetic in nature and develops slowly and the indications might not be apparent in the beginning to those who are suffering from it. Again, if it is not managed and not taken care of properly, there can be serious health risks and complications that may arise.

Another type of diabetes is Gestational Diabetes. This occurs only among pregnant women as the hormones secreted and produced during pregnancy interfere with the production of the insulin hormone in their bodies, and therefore also disappears after child birth. This does not cause any complications as such and can be taken care of with proper treatment, medication and nutrition by the woman.