What’s the Difference Between Different Types of Diabetes?
The term diabetes refers to a group of diseases that all affect the way your body regulates blood glucose or, as it is commonly known, blood sugar. Glucose is very important to your overall health because it is the predominant source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. If you have diabetes it means that there is too much glucose in your blood – which is a serious health problem. Symptoms of diabetes include, frequent urination, unquenchable thirst, blurred vision, inability to heal and, in men, erectile dysfunction. Diabetes can damage the arteries and veins that help get blood flow to the penis, making it increasingly difficult to achieve an erection. Being that diabetes is a group diseases, here’s brief rundown on the three major types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
This type which affects between 10-15% of diabetes cases is also known as juvenile onset diabetes because it commonly occurs in people under the age of 40. Type 1 diabetes is predominantly caused by viruses, diet or genetic predisposition. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body’s immune system attacks insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. People who suffer from this form of the disease must compensate for the lack of insulin in their body by injecting themselves with insulin throughout the day and they must also follow a strict diet.
Type 2 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is also known as late-onset diabetes and is the most common, affecting 85-90% of total diabetes cases. This form of the disease has genetic origins but can also appear due to lifestyle factors in people who are overweight, have high blood pressure and poor diet. Being that this problem can stem from damage done to the body over years, if not decades, it may occur alongside other health issues. People with type 2 diabetes have double the chance of cardiovascular disease. Not all people with type 2 diabetes have to inject insulin, although injections may be required if the disease progresses. Type 2 diabetes can be regulated via oral medications, dietary changes and a healthy exercise routine.
GDM or Carbohydrate Intolerance
GDM is a less common form that affects women during pregnancy. Women with a family history of diabetes, obesity, ethnic predisposition or obesity have the highest risk of developing GDM. GDM can be a temporary condition with many women returning to normal carbohydrate tolerance after birth but the baby has a higher chance of developing obesity and diabetes later in life. Like many other diabetes issues, proper diet and exercise are essential to reverse the effects of GDM.
