Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia). There are a number of different types of diabetes, some of which are more prevalent than others. The most common form of diabetes in the general population is type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
This type of diabetes is also known as “adult onset diabetes.” But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, type 2 diabetes has been reported among U.S. children and adolescents with increasing frequency over the past 20 years. Within the general population, 90 percent of those with diabetes have type 2. Within the group with type 2 diabetes, approximately 80 percent are overweight. With type 2 diabetes, the body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may come on gradually or not be noticed at all.
A healthy diet and exercise may not be enough to lower the blood sugar level to a satisfactory range. Oral or injectable medication may be needed to control blood sugar levels.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is also known as “juvenile diabetes” or “insulin-dependent diabetes,” because 70 percent of diagnoses occur before a person reaches the age of 30. However, it can be diagnosed at any age. Only five to 10 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes have type 1, where the pancreas produces little to no insulin.
The onset of type 1 diabetes is usually sudden (acute) and clear-cut, when a person goes to their health care provider or the emergency room with symptoms of high blood sugar. Sometimes, a person with new-onset type 1 diabetes needs to be treated in an intensive care unit. Symptoms include increased urination, thirst or dry mouth, hunger, weight loss despite normal or increased eating, blurred vision, frequent or continuous infections and tingling or pain in the hands, feet or both.
Those with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin, either through injections or through an insulin pump. Insulin, nutrition and activity (exercise) need to be kept in balance, so the key to avoiding extremely high or low sugar levels is to test blood sugar levels regularly, generally four times a day or more.
Gestational diabetes
This type of diabetes, which causes high blood sugar, develops during pregnancy (gestation) and is caused by increased production of hormones that make the body less able to use insulin as well as it should. Most gestational diabetes goes away after birth but it does put you at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later. Healthy eating and being active may decrease the risk of developing subsequent type 2 diabetes.
Surgically induced diabetes
When surgery is performed on the pancreas for any reason, there's a risk that its ability to produce insulin will change. This condition may be temporary or permanent. If you have this type of surgery, frequent testing of blood sugar is needed to monitor whether or when medications or insulin injections may be necessary.
Chemically induced diabetes
Some types of medication can cause your blood sugar level to be higher than normal. Steroids, specifically cortisone or prednisone, are the most common cause of such high blood sugar. Treatment may include prescription oral diabetes medication or insulin.
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) or type 1.5 diabetes
Scientists have identified several other diabetes subtypes beyond types 1 and 2. LADA is a more slowly progressing variation of type 1 diabetes and is often misdiagnosed as type 2. It's most common in those aged 35 and older.
Managing diabetes
No matter what type of diabetes an individual may have, the best way to manage the condition is to:
Even if you don't have diabetes, healthy eating and exercise is good for you and may even prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.