Understand the Mellitus Diabetes Types
Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational

There are three different diabetes types of mellitus (AKA "sugar" diabetes) in which it can appear. Each one has its own different effect on the body and how it should be handled. Education is the key to taking better care of yourself and turning your life around. So learn all you can about the diabetes types and make the best decision for yourself.

One form is Type 1, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 usually strikes children and young adults, in adults it accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases.

Type 2 is when the body’s insulin does not work effectively either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. It accounts for about 90-95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Gestational Diabetes is where pregnant women who have never had diabetes before develop high blood sugar level during pregnancy. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by blocking effects of other hormones on the insulin that is produced, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. It affects 5-10 percent of pregnant women and usually disappears after giving birth. However, most women have a 40 – 60 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 5 – 10 years.

For most Americans, that do not have diabetes they can check their normal blood sugar levels, after fasting or first thing in the morning, and it will run between 70 - 100. Then some people who are developing the early symptoms of diabetes, called prediabetes, after checking their blood first thing in the morning will notice their blood sugar levels run about 101 – 126. Everyone who is developing type 2 will get prediabetes before they are completely type 2. Finally, anyone with blood sugar levels of 126 or higher has diabetes and should be checked out by a medical professional.

Understanding the different diabetes types and prediabetes has a better chance to live a normal and productive life. So kick your feet up, relax and enjoy the rest of the information on all the other pages.


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