There are Three Major Types of Diabetes

The three types of diabetes include

Type 2 Diabetes (also known as Mature or Adult Onset Diabetes), and,
Type 1 Diabetes (also known as Juvenile Onset Diabetes), and
Gestational Diabetes (occurs during pregnancy)

Type 2 diabetes

Also known as Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, occurs when there is too much glucose found in a person's blood.

This form, type 2 diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes, more than ninty-five percent of currently diagnosed diabetes patients.

The majority of people with diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes. This form of diabetes usually occurs in people aged over 30 years, but it can occur in overweight teenagers and even young children with a family history of diabetes.

Insulin, produced in the pancreas, is used to transport glucose, a simple sugar, into the cells of the body. This glucose is used by the cells as fuel, and is necessary for normal body functions.

If the cells receive the glucose that they need, the existing glucose is not used as energy and is left stuck in the blood stream.

Since the problem with type 2 diabetes lies in processing the insulin that is being made, the pancreas cannot determine what is wrong and actually steps up insulin production to to make up for it for the perceived deficiency.

People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to be overweight and carry excess weight around the waist as well as having high blood pressure. They are also more likely to have raised cholesterol levels and face a significantly higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious health complications.

Type 2 diabetes occurs gradually, in fact it may go unnoticed for years. The buildup of glucose in the bloodstream can result in a condition known as hyperglycemia. When people have an insulin resistance, which is the common cause of type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar levels are commonly found as well.

Although this condition is commonly found in the overweight, thin people can also develop the disease and be a type 2 diabetic. Elderly people are also very at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Ffactors that may determine a person's risk for type 2 diabetes include:

• Obesity , especially when found around the waist area

• A history of having gestational diabetes

• An HDL cholesterol level that is above 250mg/dL or one that is lower than 35mg/dL

• Being older than 45 years of age

• Poor diet, and low levels of exercise

• Being African-American, Hispanic, or Native American

If you think that you may be at risk for Type 2 diabetes, there are many symptoms to check for to see if you should research the disease further.

Type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed through three commonly used methods: the Oral glucose tolerance test, the Random blood glucose level test, and the Fasting blood glucose level test. These tests can determine if your glucose levels are high enough to be associated with a insulin resistance problem that could denote type 2 diabetes.

If diagnosed, there are many treatments and medications available to help alleviate the symptoms and prolong your life.

Type 1 diabetes

Also known as Juvenile Onset Diabetes due to the fact that it most often strikes when a person is a child or an adolescent. While juveniles are most commonly struck, and personsunder 30 are most at risk, however even adults and senior citizens develope type 1 diabetes as well.

Unlike type 2 It can occur out of nowhere without warning signs. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas' beta cells produce little to no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that permits the sugar glucose to enter cells of the body.

This process may take several years and while doctors know much of the way diabetes functions, they still do not know what causes it to occur. It is thought that a virus or chemical may trigger the attack by the immune system in people who have a particular genetic make-up. Type 1 diabetes is the least common form of diabetes, accounts for less than five percent of all new cases. 1 in 7,000 children are affected every year by this chronic illness.

In a non-diabetic, a cell receives glucose and then uses it as fuel. However, when a person has no insulin, or a decreased level of insulin, the glucose that is supposed to be sent out to fuel the body's cells begins to build up in the bloodstream.

While high levels of insulin in the bloodstream are unable to be used by the body, increased hunger can occur as the body yearns for the energy it needs. These high glucose levels in the bloodstream make the afflicted person feel an increased need to urinate. This, in turn, makes a person excessively thirsty.

After having diabetes for anywhere from 5 years to 10 years, if left untreated during those years, the beta cells that create insulin may be completely damaged beyond repair. The body stops producing insulin, and the person suffering from the disease is forced to rely completely on an outside insulin source.

All in all, people that are afflicted with type 1 diabetes have a lot of responsibilities to take on when taking care of their condition.

Blood glucose levels need to be monitored as often as 6 times per day with a prick of the finger or another source of blood.
If the levels are too high, diabetes patients face the problem of a hyperglycemic reaction.
However, if blood glucose levels are too low, the patient runs the risk of a hypoglycemic reaction.

In addition to monitoring the levels, diabetes sufferers need to maintain their glucose through injections of insulin, a proper diet, and get exercise.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during the time of pregnancy. The changing hormones and weight gain that comes with pregnancy makes it hard for the body to keep up with the need of insulin.

Gestational diabetes used to be viewed as a disease that wasn't damaging and usually disappeared after the birth of the baby. However, now it is considered a warning sign for both the mother and the baby of metabolic changes that may affect them for life.

Why does gestational diabetes occur?

The placenta produces a hormone that goes against the affect of insulin on blood sugar and having a baby that is large at birth (over 4 Kg or 10 pounds) may indicate the occurrence of Gestational Diabetes during the pregnancy.

Women who have a history of diabetes in the family are also more sensitive to this hormone. Mothers who have experienced gestational diabetes should research and be aware of what the symptoms of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are and be aware of the steps to take to avoid or delay this disease.

About 200,000 women develop gestational diabetes each year in the United States. The statistics are that five to ten percent of women will continue with Type 2 diabetes after the birth of the baby. Twenty to fifty percent may develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. Children of mothers with gestational diabetes are more at risk for obesity and developing diabetes as teens or adults.

Studies show that it is possible to reduce the risks by watching their diet and experience. In fact, women who went on to control their weight, exercise, and their diet had a 58 percent decrease in their risk for developing diabetes.

Also it should be noted that any woman who has had Gestational Diabetes is at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, unless steps are taking to reduce the risks.