Know Each Type

When someone tells you they are diabetic, do you automatically think  they are type two? Do you really know the differences  between  Type 1 and Type II diabetes? To some, it may make no difference, but to someone who has diabetes, it means everything.

Type 1

Type one diabetes, formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes, occurs when the pancreas in the body completely shuts down and can no longer produce the cells that release insulin in the body. Without insulin , the cells cannot break down sugar (glucose) that aids energy production necessary for performing daily functions. Type one diabetics are insulin dependent and count for five to ten out of a hundred people with diabetes.1

Type 2

Type two diabetes, also known as adult-onset, occurs at any age. Those with type two diabetes typically get diagnosed during adulthood. In this stage, their pancreas is still functioning but has very little insulin, or  the insulin is not utilized effectively, known as insulin resistance. The majority of people with diabetes are diagnosed under type two.1

Gestational

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is defined as glucose intolerance. Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy in any woman and typically dies out after the birth of your child. Diagnoses of gestational diabetes occur because the placenta makes many hormones that lead up to a buildup of sugar in the blood. Normally, the pancreas is able to produce enough insulin to  use the extra sugar being produced from the placenta, but if not, this causes the development of gestational diabetes. Along with type 2, gestational diabetes still has a functioning pancreas so it may produce insulin, but may not necessarily break down sugar effectively.2

With the three different types of diabetes, it is important to understand which are insulin dependent versus non-insulin dependent. There are similar medications used for all three types, but the usage of each medication is very different.

Many people do not realize they are diagnosed or may be at risk for any of these types. Yearly checkups are highly recommended.

 

1 Diabetes: Differences Between Type 1 and 2-Topic Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21,

2016, from http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/tc/diabetes-differences-between-type-1-and-2-topic-overview

2 Buchanan, T. A., Xiang, A., Kjos, S. L., & Watanabe, R. (2007). What is gestational diabetes?. Diabetes care, 30(Supplement 2), S105-S111.