Types of Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes (IDDM)
- Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM)
- Gestational diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease that arises due to very little production of Insulin by pancreas to control blood sugar levels appropriately. That’s why it is also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Subcutaneous Insulin Injection, along with oral medication is given essentially in IDDM It is also known as Juvenile Diabetes.
Symptoms: In type 1, the pancreas stops producing insulin, due to autoimmune response or possibly viral attack on pancreas. In absence of insulin, primary symptom occurs in the form of nausea and vomiting. In later stage, which leads to ketoacidosis in which body starts breaking down muscle tissue and fat for energy, there is consequently fast weight loss. Dehydration is also usually observed due to electrolyte disturbance. In advance stages even coma and death, are being witnessed.
Type 2 diabetes is a life-long, chronic disease that occurs when the body's insulin does not work efficiently. Here, subcutaneous insulin is not mandatory to treat the patients. Oral hypoglycemic drugs can do work alone. That’s why it is also known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.
Symptoms : Generally, people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- Increased fatigue:
- Polydipsia : increase thirst.
- Polyuria : Increase in urine production
- Polyphagia : increased hunger.
- Weight fluctuation
- Blurry vision
- Irritability
- Infections : frequent infections of fungal or bacterial like skin infection or UTI (urinary tract infection).
- Poor wound healing
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a state during pregnancy in which women without earlier diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels.
Offspring born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of troubles usually such as being lengthy gestational age which may result in delivery complications, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and jaundice. Females with gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus after pregnancy, while their children are more prone to develop childhood obesity with type 2 diabetes later in life.