(b) Three main types of Diabetes 19 10 25

There are three main types of diabetes, each with different causes, characteristics, and treatment approaches. Understanding these types helps explain how the body’s ability to produce or use insulin is affected.

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1. Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin-Dependent Diabetes)

Cause:

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells and builds up in the bloodstream.

Characteristics:

• Usually develops in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age.

• Requires daily insulin injections or insulin pumps for survival.

• Not caused by lifestyle or diet.

• Symptoms appear suddenly: frequent urination, thirst, weight loss, fatigue.

Example:

A child diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes must regularly monitor blood glucose and administer insulin throughout life.

Reference:

Atkinson, M. A., Eisenbarth, G. S., & Michels, A. W. (2014). Type 1 diabetes. The Lancet, 383(9911), 69–82.

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2. Type 2 Diabetes (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes)

Cause:

Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance — the body still produces insulin, but the cells do not respond effectively to it. Over time, the pancreas may also produce less insulin.

Risk Factors:

• Unhealthy diet (especially sugary and oily foods)

• Obesity and lack of physical activity

• Family history of diabetes

• Older age and stress

Characteristics:

• Gradual onset, often in adults over 40, though increasingly common in young people.

• Often managed through diet, exercise, weight loss, and sometimes oral medication or insulin.

• Preventable through healthy lifestyle changes.

Example:

Adults who consume excessive sweet foods, oily snacks, and have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

Reference:

Hu, F. B. (2011). Globalization of diabetes: The role of diet, lifestyle, and genes. Diabetes Care, 34(6), 1249–1257.

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3. Gestational Diabetes

Cause:

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, when hormonal changes cause insulin resistance. The body cannot produce enough insulin to meet increased needs.

Characteristics:

• Usually detected between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.

• Blood sugar levels usually return to normal after childbirth, but women remain at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later.

• Requires careful monitoring of diet and sometimes insulin therapy.

Example:

A pregnant woman may develop gestational diabetes and need to control her sugar intake to protect both her health and the baby’s.

Reference:

American Diabetes Association (ADA). (2022). Gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, 45(Supplement_1), S244–S250.

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Other Less Common Types

• Monogenic Diabetes: A rare form caused by a single gene defect (e.g., MODY – Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young).

• Secondary Diabetes: Caused by other medical conditions such as pancreatic disease, hormonal disorders, or certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids).

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Summary Table

Type	Main Cause	Onset	Treatment
Type 1	Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells	Childhood/adolescence	Insulin injections
Type 2	Insulin resistance and poor diet/lifestyle	Adulthood (increasingly young people)	Diet, exercise, medication, insulin
Gestational	Hormonal changes during pregnancy	Pregnancy	Diet, exercise, insulin if needed