Types of diabetes mellitus
Diabetes Definition
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and not a disease. It has multiple causes of diabetes characterized by elevated blood sugar levels with disturbances in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism either due to the absence of insulin secretion or ineffectiveness of the available insulin. Let us explore the types of diabetes and their classification.
Types of Diabetes
Classification of diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes (GDM)
- Specific types of diabetes due to other causes
The two main types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
There are others such as gestational diabetes (GDM), Latent autoimmune diabetes of aging (LADA), specific types of diabetes due to other causes e.g. monogenic diabetes syndromes such as neonatal diabetes and MODY (Maturity onset diabetes of the young), diseases of the exocrine pancreas (cystic fibrosis) and drug or chemical-induced diabetes (on corticosteroids, treatment of HIV/ AIDS or immune suppressant therapy post organ transplantation).
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characteristic of an absolute insulin deficiency which means that the body is unable to produce any insulin. It accounts for 5% of all diabetes in India. It may account for 10-15% of all diabetes in some western countries.
In Type 1 diabetes, there is a primary defect in the pancreas due to beta-cell destruction, usually leading to an absolute insulin hormone deficiency.
It is known as insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile-onset diabetes or Type 1 diabetes. It usually starts in childhood or young adulthood. It is treated with diet control and insulin injections.
Type 1 diabetes is classified into Type 1A and Type 1B
Type 1A diabetes is immune-mediated which means there is immune destruction of beta cells in the pancreas.
Type 1B diabetes is idiopathic diabetes. This form for type 1 diabetes has no known cause. Some of these patients have permanent insulinopenia but have no evidence of autoimmunity. Most of these patients are of African or Asian ancestry.
Type 2 diabetes
In Type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin or does not utilize it properly due to insulin resistance, pre-diabetes and then type 2 diabetes is likely to develop. Type 2 diabetics develop hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) gradually due to a progressive loss of beta-cell insulin secretion with insulin resistance frequently being the underlying cause.
It is much more common and accounts for 95% of those with diabetes, especially in India. In western countries, it may account for 85-90% of diabetes. In the early stages, it is not so severe and the person may notice any of the classic symptoms of diabetes. Hence, type 2 diabetes subjects may or may not experience the classic symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes. They are not prone to developing early ketoacidosis except during times of severe stress.
Keep Type 2 diabetes under control with a diabetic diet planned by a qualified clinical nutritionist or dietitian and with regular exercise.
Gestational diabetes (GDM)
GDM is pregnancy-related diabetes. It is diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. This diabetes occurs during pregnancy and it may or may not go away after childbirth. This person did not have any overt diabetes prior to gestation.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Aging (LADA)
It is a slowly progressive form of autoimmune diabetes. LADA is often confused with Type 2 diabetes. Initially, diet therapy may control this type of diabetes. LADA treatment may require a short period of glucose-lowering medication but it gradually progresses to insulin treatment.
Diabetes mellitus can’t be cured. Keep blood sugar levels in control within the desirable range. Elevated blood glucose levels result in diabetes symptoms. Blood glucose monitoring and control is very necessary to avoid the complications of diabetes.
Diabetes Insipidus is another rare form of diabetes that is different from Diabetes Mellitus.
Pallavi Pinge is a Clinical Nutritionist and Dietitian | Content Director & Editor for health websites | has a passion for digital health and enjoys promoting health and wellness. She’s the founder and director of Ambrosia Wellness, where she provides personalized nutrition counseling, education, and coaching to individuals with various health conditions. You can follow her on her social media channels below to stay tuned in with the latest in health and wellness | Health Blog | Contact her for appointments |
