The Types of Diabetes and What You Should Know About Them
Do you know that there are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes?
Each has its unique set of symptoms and requires different treatment methods.
This blog post will discuss the differences between these three types of diabetes and what you are required to do if you think you might have diabetes.
What is diabetes, and what are the three types of diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease occurring when too much sugar or glucose is in the blood.
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects your body and doesn’t allow it to turn food into energy normally.
The food you eat is broken into glucose and released into your bloodstream.
Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin. When your blood sugar increases, it sends signals to your pancreas that release insulin. Insulin is a key that lets your blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy.
Having diabetes means that either:
- your body doesn’t create enough insulin,
- or your body can’t use the insulin it produces make very well.
The three types of diabetes are type I diabetes, type II diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
What causes type I diabetes?
Type I diabetes is usually developed by an autoimmune reaction where the body’s immune system destroys the normal cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
A virus or other environmental factors can also cause type I diabetes.
Type I diabetes has the name of insulin-dependent diabetes, which is a disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin.
This type of diabetes occurs at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents, or young adults.
How to treat type I diabetes?
There is not any cure for type I diabetes, but it can be managed with insulin therapy and other treatments.
Insulin therapy is the main and primary treatment for type I diabetes. It involves taking insulin injections or using an insulin pump.
Other treatments include lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise.
What is type II diabetes?
Type II diabetes is a common type of diabetes. It is usually caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
A normal lifestyle, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, can prevent Type II diabetes.
However, if you have already developed type II diabetes, it can be managed with medication, such as insulin or oral diabetes drugs.
How to treat type II diabetes?
There isn’t an actual cure for type II diabetes as well, but it can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.
Medications used to treat type II diabetes include insulin, oral diabetes drugs, and injectable medications.
Lifestyle changes that can help manage type II diabetes include healthy eating, regular exercise, and weight loss.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that only pregnant women get. It is usually reversed after the baby is born.
Gestational diabetes can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
How to treat gestational diabetes?
During pregnancy, doctors should take control of the process and treat diabetes with a blood sugar-lowering medication.
Though if you have had gestational diabetes before, you are more likely to develop type II diabetes later. Thus, it is mandatory to be careful in diets and lifestyles.
What are the symptoms of Type I diabetes?
The symptoms of type I diabetes can come on suddenly and be severe. They include:
- feeling very thirsty
- urinating often
- feeling very hungry or tired
- having dry, itchy skin
- losing weight without trying
What are the symptoms of Type II diabetes?
The symptoms of type II diabetes often develop slowly. They can include:
- feeling very thirsty
- urinating often
- feeling very hungry or tired
- having blurred vision
- having cuts or bruises that heal slowly
- having dry, itchy skin
- losing weight without trying
What are the symptoms of Gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes has no symptoms, but high blood sugar levels can be detected with a blood test.
Having gestational diabetes, you will need to be monitored closely during your pregnancy. You may also need to take medication to control your blood sugar levels.
How can you prevent type II diabetes?
You can prevent type II diabetes by doing the following:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Having no stress
- Doing more self-care
- Getting regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
If you think you may have diabetes, it is essential to see your doctor for a blood test. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can help prevent severe complications.
What are other treatments for all types of diabetes?
In addition to insulin therapy and lifestyle changes, there are other treatments for all types of diabetes. These include:
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)– means wearing a small sensor under the skin that measures blood sugar levels continuously.
The sensor is usually worn for about two weeks and then replaced.
CGM can help you see patterns in your blood sugar levels and make necessary adjustments to your insulin doses.
Pump Therapy-It involves wearing an insulin pump that gives you a steady stream of insulin throughout the day.
You can also give yourself extra insulin doses when needed, such as before meals or if your blood sugar levels are high.
Pump therapy can help you keep your blood sugar levels under better control.
Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM)– is a monitor which quickly and easily measures your blood sugar levels.
You can use it to check your blood sugar levels at any time, day or night. FGM can help you see patterns in your blood sugar levels and make necessary adjustments to your insulin doses.
Artificial Pancreas Systems (APS)- is a system that includes an insulin pump, a continuous glucose monitor, and a computer that helps to deliver insulin based on your blood sugar levels automatically.
APS can help you keep your blood sugar levels under better control.
Diabetes Education – means learning about diabetes and how to manage it.
It is essential to learn how to self-manage your diabetes to live a long, healthy life.
Many resources are available to make you learn about diabetes, such as books, websites, and classes.
For Type I and Type II diabetes, you can wear remote patient monitoring devices, which will help you and your doctor track your blood sugar levels.
These sensory insoles empower people with diabetes to maintain mobility by helping prevent diabetic foot ulcers and limb loss through advanced pressure, temperature, and movement sensor technology and analytics.
If you have diabetes, it is essential to see your doctor regularly to manage your condition and prevent complications.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent diabetes
Diabetes is a serious health condition, but you can manage it with the proper knowledge and care.
We hope this article has helped give you a better understanding of the different types of diabetes and what you should do if you are diagnosed with any type.