What Are The Different Diabetes Types?

The three main diabetes types are one, two and gestational. There is also a less well known type of diabetes called MODY or maturity onset diabetes of the young.

In a non-diabetic the pancreas produces the hormone insulin which enables the body to use the glucose which is formed when certain foods are broken down after eating. With the aid of the hormone, glucose passes from the blood stream and into the cells.

In a diabetic the pancreas either produces too little or no insulin, or the body is unable to utilise that which it does produce.

Correct diagnosis is the first step to good management. Your health care professional will be able to advise you but the main characteristics are listed below.

Characteristics of Type 1

• Your body is unable to produce any insulin.
• You will always need to take insulin in injection form.
• It usually has it's onset in your younger years.

Characteristics of Type 2

• Your body either does not produce enough insulin or it is unable to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
• It may be treated with a combination of diet and exercise as well as oral medication.
• Insulin injections are not always needed but may still form part of your treatment.
• It usually occurs later in life.

Characteristics of Gestational Diabetes

• Occurs in a small percentage of non-diabetic women during pregnancy.
• It may be treated with insulin though this is not always necessary.
• Blood glucose levels usually return to normal after the birth of the baby.

Type one diabetes used to be known as juvenile onset and type two was often refered to as adult onset. However, in recent times it has been noted that the time of onset doesn't necessarily dictate the type of diabetes.

Type 2 is becoming more prevalent in young people, and there people being diagnosed with type 1 over the age of 40.

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