THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TYPES OF DIABETES

If you have diabetes or know someone that might have diabetes, it’s good to know the basic facts regarding the disease. As you know, diabetes occurs when your blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is too high – but did you know there are various types of diabetes, and not just Type 1 and Type 2? The types of diabetes vary with different consequences and can be a little confusing to tell them apart to say the least. Below are the definitions of 5 different diabetes types so you have a better knowledge of what you or a friend/family member might be dealing with.

Prediabetes:

Over 80 million Americans suffer from prediabetes. That’s 1 in 3 people. When you have prediabetes, it means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed, but could lead to Type 2, stroke, or heart disease.

Type 1 Diabetes:

If you have this type of diabetes, you’ll find that symptoms develop quickly, especially in teens and young children. Symptoms usually include frequent urination, fatigue, unintentional weight loss, and increased thirst. Unfortunately, this Type requires those living with the disease to take insulin every day in order to survive. Only 5% of people who live with diabetes have Type 1. 

Type 2 Diabetes: 

90% of people with diabetes have this type. When you have Type 2 diabetes, the autoimmune reaction stops your body from creating insulin, and mainly affects teens and young children, just like Type 1. And much like Type 1, you also need to take insulin every day in order to survive. Type 2 symptoms are very similar to Type 1 as well; increased thirst, unintentional weight loss, frequent urination, and fatigue.

The main differences between Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes:

It’s a misconception that Type 2 is a more dangerous form of diabetes than Type 1. This is not the case. Type 2 is often a milder form of diabetes than Type 1, where the body can produce some insulin, whereas Type 1 is completely insulin-dependent. However, the biggest difference between the two is Type 1 often occurs in children, while Type 2 often occurs in adults. 

Gestational Diabetes:

This is when diabetes develops in pregnant women. The upside side to gestational diabetes is that it can go away after the pregnancy, but the downside is that it does increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes for not only the mother but for the child in the future. The child is also at risk of becoming obese due to gestational diabetes, so please keep in contact with your physician if you have this disease.

If you fear that you may be prone to any of the diabetes types listed above, remember that eating healthy, being active, and losing weight properly can certainly help, especially if you already have the disease.

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