TYPES OF 
DIABETES

We can put diabetes into four categories, namely:

  Type 1 Diabetes

  Type 2 Diabetes

  Gestational Diabetes

  Diabetes caused by specific syndrome/ surgery/ sickness

Type 1 Diabetes
It results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. This type of diabetes again has two types:

	Immune-mediated diabetes mellitus resulting from an autoimmune  process in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas.  Since glucose can not enter the cell, it builds up in the blood and the body’s cells literally starve to death.
	Idiopathic type 1 is a rare form of disease that have no known cause.

Please Note:

Type 2 Diabetes

It results from insulin resistance– a condition in which the body fails to make enough insulin or unable to use it properly–combined with relative insulin deficiency.

Please Note:

	It usually develops around the age of 45 years and the risk increases with age.
	Often, people suffering from it are not aware of their disease until severe symptoms occur or they are treated for one of its serious complications.
	In its early stage it can be controlled through losing weight, improved nutrition, and regular physical exercise.
	If adequate care has not been taken in the initial stage (or not diagnosed in its early stage), it may need oral medication and/or insulin to control it.

Gestational Diabetes

It derives its name from the word ‘Gestate’ which means: To carry in the womb during the period from conception to birth. Some women develop this during their pregnancy that goes away on its own after the baby is born. Doctors believe that it occurs when the pancreas of the pregnant woman does not produce enough insulin to cope with the effects of a pregnancy hormone.

Please Note
It develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies. It is more likely for a woman to develop gestational diabetes if she: 

	Is over 30 years of age
	Is more than 20% over her ideal weight
	Have a relative (parent or sibling) who has diabetes
	Had a previous pregnancy in which the baby was born dead
	Had a previous pregnancy with an unusually large baby (9 pounds)
	A blood test between 24th  and 28th  weeks of pregnancy is a must since it is usually when gestational diabetes develops.
	A woman with gestational diabetes must control her weight and must strictly follow the diet plan her doctor has advised.
	Although gestational diabetes usually goes away after the delivery, it puts a woman at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in her life. It is therefore advisable that a woman who once had gestational  diabetes must undergo periodic testing of blood glucose.

Diabetes caused by
Specific syndrome/ surgery/ sickness

Researcher have identified a small percentage of diabetes cases that result  from Specific Syndrome, surgery, drug infection, viruses, and any  recurring illness.

Diagnostic Criteria