What Is Diabetes And How Many Types of Diabetes Are There?

More and more people are sending me letters inquiring about the variations between different types of diabetes. I decided to share the results of my research into the many types of diabetes and their definitions. So, let’s go into more details


Estimated reading time: 11 minutes


This is why there are distinct forms of diabetes. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are the two most frequent kinds of diabetes. Type 2 diabetics do not make insulin. And those who do create insulin do not use it well, making them insulin resistant. There are more than ten different types of diabetics diagnosed around the world.

There’s Too Much Glucose

People with diabetes either don’t make enough insulin or don’t create any at all. Alternatively, these people do not use insulin properly. In either case, they have an excess of insulin in their system.

Glucose is not digested in the cells that require it in all types of diabetes. Therefore it builds up in the bloodstream. Furthermore, the cells do not receive the energy they require to do their tasks.

Glucose is simply another word for blood sugar. It is a basic sugar that serves as your body’s primary source of energy. Glucose is derived from carbs consumed at meals. Such as ordinary soda, cakes, ice cream, starchy vegetables, and grains such as cereals.

Define Diabetes As Follows:

Diabetes is a long-term illness that affects the way your body converts food into energy.

The majority of the food you eat is converted to sugar (also known as glucose) and absorbed into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar levels rise, your pancreas is prompted to release insulin. Insulin is a key that allows blood sugar to enter your body’s cells and be used as energy.

If you have diabetes, your body either does not produce enough insulin or it does not utilize it as effectively as it should.

Too much blood sugar persists in your bloodstream when there isn’t enough insulin or when cells stop responding to insulin. This can lead to major health issues such as heart disease, eye loss, and renal disease over time.


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Treatment for Diabetes

Although there is no treatment for diabetes at this time, decreasing weight, eating healthy foods, and being active can all help. Taking medication as needed, receiving diabetes self-management education and support, and keeping health-care appointments can all help to lessen the impact diabetes has on your life.

Diabetes is a condition in which your blood glucose, often known as blood sugar, is abnormally high. Your main source of energy is blood glucose, which comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, aids glucose absorption into cells for use as energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t produce enough — or any — insulin, or it doesn’t use it properly. Glucose remains in your circulation and does not reach your cells as a result.

Having too much glucose in your blood might lead to health issues over time. Although there is no cure for diabetes, you may take efforts to manage it and stay healthy.

Diabetes is also referred to as “a touch of sugar” or “borderline diabetes”. These words imply that someone does not have diabetes or has a milder form of the disease. However, diabetes affects everyone.

What Is Causing My Blood Glucose Level To Be So High?

Breaking down the food you eat into multiple nutrient sources is part of the digestion process. When you eat carbohydrates (such as bread, rice, or pasta), your body converts them to sugar (glucose). When glucose enters your bloodstream, it requires assistance. A “key” to reach its eventual destination, which is inside your body’s cells (cells make up your tissues and organs). Insulin is the “helper” or “key.”

“Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which is positioned behind the stomach. It is released into your bloodstream by your pancreas. It is the “key” that opens the “door” in the cell wall that permits glucose to enter the cells of your body. Glucose provides the “fuel” or energy that tissues and organs require to function effectively.

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In Short About Relationship Between Insulin & Diabetes

  • Glucose, (aka blood sugar) is derived from the foods you eat, in order to provide energy to your body.
  • Insulin is needed in order to permit glucose to enter the cells of your body. Insulin is produced by the pancreas.
  • However, your pancreas produces no or insufficient insulin.
  • Or your pancreas produces insulin, but your body’s cells do not respond to it. Or are unable to use it properly.
  • If glucose is unable to enter your body’s cells, it remains in your bloodstream, raising your blood glucose level. And it becomes Diabetes finally.



What Are The Many Types of Diabetes?

There are three forms of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Gestational Diabetes
  • Prediabetes
  • Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) or type 1.5 diabetes

1. Diabetic Type 1 (T1D)

Because 75 percent of diagnoses occur before the age of 25, type 1 diabetes was previously known as “insulin-dependent diabetes” or “juvenile diabetes”. It can, however, be diagnosed at any age.

Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction that prevents the body from producing insulin. An autoimmune reaction is in which the body mistakenly fights itself. Type 1 diabetes symptoms might appear suddenly. It’s most commonly found in children, teenagers, and young adults. If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need insulin on a daily basis to stay alive. No one knows how to avoid type 1 diabetes right now.

Your body does not produce insulin if you have type 1 diabetes. Your immune system targets and destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Diabetes type 1 is most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can strike anyone at any age. To stay alive, people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day.

Symptoms of Diabetes include the blow

  • increased urination
  • thirst, or dry mouth
  • hunger
  • weight loss despite normal or increased eating
  • blurred eyesight
  • frequent or persistent infections
  • tingling or discomfort in the hands, feet, or both

It’s also critical to monitor your blood sugar level at least four to eight times a day. This is to avoid dangerously high or low blood sugar levels.

2. Diabetes type 2 (T2D)

This kind of diabetes was previously referred to as “adult-onset diabetes.”

Your body can’t use insulin properly and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels if you have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects 90-95 percent of diabetics. It takes many years to develop. And is usually diagnosed in adulthood (but more and more in children, teens, and young adults).

If you’re at risk, get your blood sugar checked because you might not notice any signs. Type 2 diabetes can be avoided or delayed by adopting a healthy lifestyle. It includes decreasing weight, eating healthy foods, and staying active.

Your body does not generate or utilize insulin well if you have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can strike at any age, including youth. This type of diabetes, on the other hand, is more common in middle-aged and older adults. Kind 2 diabetes is the most frequent type.

Type 2 diabetes symptoms, which are similar to type 1 diabetic symptoms, may develop gradually or not at all.

A balanced diet and regular exercise may not be enough to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Controlling your blood sugar level may necessitate the use of oral or injectable medication.


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3. Adults with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA) or Type 1.5 Diabetes

Aside from kinds 1 and 2, scientists have discovered several more diabetes subtypes. LADA is a type 1 diabetes variant that progresses more slowly and is sometimes misdiagnosed as type 2. It is most common in people over the age of 35.

Finally, regardless of the type of diabetes you have, the best way to take care of yourself are

  • to eat healthily
  • test your blood sugar as directed by your doctor
  • schedule routine follow-up care with your health care team
  • take your oral medication, insulin, or both
  • if you take insulin, wear a medical alert bracelet or other identifiers
  • controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also crucial.

4. Diabetes During Pregnancy

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes acquire gestational diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby may be more susceptible to health issues. Although gestational diabetes normally goes away after your baby is born, it raises your chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Obesity is more prevalent in your infant as a youngster or a teen. And type 2 diabetes is more common later in life.

During pregnancy, some women acquire gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes usually goes away once the baby is born. If you’ve experienced gestational diabetes, though, you’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. It’s possible that diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is actually type 2. Healthy nutrition and physical activity may reduce the chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes later in life.

5. Prediabetes

Prediabetes affects 96 million adults in the United States or nearly one-third of the population. Furthermore, more than 80% of them are unaware that they have it. Blood sugar levels are higher than normal in those with prediabetes, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are all increased by prediabetes.


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Types of Diabetes That Are Less Frequent

  • Diabetic disorders caused by a single gene.
  • Diabetes caused by cystic fibrosis.
  • Diabetes caused by a drug or a chemical.
  • Diabetic syndromes with a single cause
  • Diabetes caused by surgery

Monogenic diabetes syndromes:

These are rare hereditary diabetes types that account for up to 4% of all cases. Neonatal diabetes and young-onset diabetes are two such examples.

Diabetes caused by cystic fibrosis:

This is a type of diabetes that only affects persons who have it.

Diabetes caused by drugs or chemicals:

some medications can cause your blood sugar to rise over typical levels. The most prevalent cause of elevated blood sugar is steroid use, specifically cortisone or prednisone. Prescription oral diabetic medications or insulin may be used to treat the condition. This type of reaction can occur after an organ donation, during HIV/AIDS treatment, or as a result of glucocorticoid steroid use.

Diabetes caused by surgery

When the pancreas is operated on for whatever reason, there’s a chance that its ability to make insulin will be harmed. This condition could be short-term or long-term. If you have this sort of surgery, you will need to test your blood sugar frequently to see if medications or insulin injections are required.

What Is The Prevalence of Diabetes?

In the United States, 34.2 million people of all ages – around one in ten – have diabetes. 7.3 million persons aged 18 and up (about 1 in 5) have no idea they have diabetes (just under 3 percent of all U.S. adults). The number of persons diagnosed with diabetes rises as they get older. Diabetes affects more than 26% of persons aged 65 and over (about 1 in 4).






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