According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), nearly 8% of the population (approximately 23.6 million people) in 2007 had diabetes. People who have this condition experience high levels of glucose in their blood, which is also known as high blood sugar.
Diabetes is divided into several types, including:
- type I
- type II
- gestational
- other types
What is Type I Diabetes?
Type I diabetes may also be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM, or juvenile-onset diabetes and makes up about 5-10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. This type commonly affects children and young adults but may occur later in life. It occurs when beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed. Those cells produce a hormone called insulin, which helps the body’s cells to properly use sugar in the blood.
People who have type I diabetes must take insulin injections through shots or a pump. Preventive measures for type I diabetes are unknown at this time, but risks for type I diabetes include:
- genetics (Caucasians tend to develop this type of diabetes more)
- autoimmune dysfunction
- environmental concerns
One environmental factor that may place people at higher risk for type I diabetes is cold weather because people tend to develop type I diabetes more often in winter and in colder climates. Early diet may also contribute to the development of type I diabetes. It is more common in babies who were not breastfed and in babies who ate solid foods at an earlier age. Viruses may also play a role in developing type I diabetes.
What is Type II Diabetes?
Type II diabetes may also be known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM, or adult-onset diabetes and makes up about 90 to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. This type commonly affects adults, but an increasing number of children are developing type II diabetes.
People who develop type II diabetes commonly do so in stages. They may first have insulin resistance, which causes the body’s cells to improperly use insulin. The pancreas begins to lose its ability to produce insulin as insulin needs rise.
Modifiable risk factors for type II diabetes include a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (especially those who are young or have been obese for a long time), and eating a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates and fiber. Other risks for type II diabetes include:
- family history of diabetes
- history of gestational diabetes (40-60% develop type II diabetes within five to ten years)
- age – risk increases with age
- race or ethnicity, particularly people who are Hispanic, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Asians, Pacific Islanders, or African Americans
Treatment for type II diabetes may include one or a combination of the following:
- healthy diet
- exercise
- oral medications
- insulin injections (when the above measures do not work adequately)
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is glucose intolerance discovered during pregnancy. Untreated gestational diabetes may lead to complications in the infant. About 5-10% of women who have gestational diabetes have another type, most commonly type II, of diabetes after giving birth.
Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:
- obesity
- family history of diabetes
- pregnancy in older age
- race or ethnicity, particularly people who are Hispanic, American Indians, or African Americans
Less Common Types of Diabetes
One to five percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes do not fall under the above categories. This group of diabetes may include those related to:
- maturity-onset diabetes of youth
- surgery
- medicines
- infections or illnesses
- diseases of the pancreas
Diabetes Explained in Simple Terms
People who develop diabetes have abnormally high levels of sugar in their blood. This may result from the body’s inability to make insulin or the body’s inability to properly use insulin or a combination of factors. People who have one or more risk factors for diabetes may wish to discuss this with their healthcare provider to avoid being one of the many people who have undiagnosed diabetes.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
Readers may also wish to read Living a Full and Happy Life After Amputation, Diabetes and Agent Orange, and Benefits of Owning Home Gyms and Exercise Equipment.
Sources:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) June 8 article “National Diabetes Statistics, 2007”
American Diabetes Association’s article “Genetics of Diabetes”
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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