Types of Diabetes

The full scientific name of the condition is "diabetes mellitus" and there are various subtypes. Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes is the classic insulin-requiring severe diabetes of young people, but is less common than Type 2 diabetes or adult diabetes, which typically afflicts overweight over-40's. About 90-95% of diabetics have Type 2 diabetes and when many people say "diabetes" they are often referring to Type 2 diabetes. One of the most important early aspects of diabetes diagnosis (and misdiagnosis) is to correctly distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Another type that is common in pregnant women is gestational diabetes. Other types of diabetes that are rare but may be misdiagnosed initially include MODY and other genetic types of diabetes. Secondary diabetes is caused by an underlying condition such as hemochromatosis, PCOS, or other conditions or medications.

Diabetes: Types list

• Type 1 diabetes - the classic insulin-requiring juvenile form, but actually only about 5-10% of cases.
• Type 2 diabetes - the most common adult form in over 40's, about 90-95% of cases.
• Impaired glucose tolerance - an early mild form of "pre-diabetes" often leading to Type 2 diabetes; see also types of IGT.
• Gestational diabetes - pregnancy-caused diabetes; see also types of gestational diabetes.
• MODY diabetes - a rare genetic subtype
• Malnutrition-Related Diabetes
• Secondary diabetes - when caused by an underlying condition or medication.
• Lipoatrophic diabetes

Curable Types of Diabetes:

• Malnutrition related diabetes
• Diazoxide induced diabetes
• Polycyctic ovarian disease related diabetes
• Steroid induced diabetes
• Hemochromatosis induced diabetes
• Gestational diabetes

Rare Types of Diabetes:

• MODY diabetes
• Hemochromatosis induced diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children
• Impaired glucose tolerance
• Tumours of pancreas induced diabetes
• Syndrome X

Statistics about Types of Diabetes:

The following are statistics from various sources about types of Diabetes:

• Type 2 Diabetes accounts for 85-90% of all diabetes cases in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2003)
• Type 1 Diabetes accounts for 10-15% of all diabetes cases in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2003)
• Type 1 diabetes accounted for 28% of new cases of diabetes in Australia 1999-2002 (The National Diabetes Register, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
• Type 2 diabetes accounted for 60% of new cases of diabetes in Australia 1999-2002 (The National Diabetes Register, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
• gestational diabetes accounted for 9% of new cases of diabetes in Australia 1999-2002 (The National Diabetes Register, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
• more statistics...»

Types discussion:

Diabetes Overview: NIDDK (Excerpt)

The three main types of diabetes are

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes

Facts About Diabetes: CDC-OC (Excerpt)

Diabetes is classified into two main types: type 1 and type 2 . Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent), affects 5%-10% of those with diabetes and most often occurs during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin- dependent) is the more common type, affecting 90%-95% of those with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after age 40. (Source: excerpt from Facts About Diabetes: CDC-OC)

Diabetes Diagnosis: NIDDK (Excerpt)

An American Diabetes Association expert committee recently recommended a change in the names of the two main types of diabetes because the former names caused confusion. The type of diabetes that was known as Type I, juvenile-onset diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is now type 1 diabetes. The type of diabetes that was known as Type II, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or adult-onset diabetes is now type 2 diabetes. The new names reflect an effort to move away from basing the names on treatment or age at onset. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes Diagnosis: NIDDK)

Diabetes Statistics in the United States: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Type 1 diabetes was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes may account for 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes Statistics in the United States: NIDDK)

Diabetes: NWHIC (Excerpt)

The three main types of diabetes are:

• Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)

• Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)

• Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children and young adults and is considered an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body's system for fighting infection (the immune system) turns against a part of the body. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin, thereby preventing cells from taking up sugar from blood. Someone with type 1 diabetes needs daily injections of insulin to live. She also needs to follow a strict diet and monitor her blood sugar levels.

Symptoms include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme tiredness. If not diagnosed and treated with insulin, a person can lapse into a life-threatening coma.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 40 and is most common among adults over age 55. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.

In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually produces insulin, but for some reason, the body cannot use the insulin effectively. The end result is the same as for type 1 diabetes—an unhealthy buildup of glucose in the blood and an inability of the body to make efficient use of its main source of fuel.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually and are not as noticeable as in type 1 diabetes. Symptoms include feeling tired or ill, frequent urination (especially at night), unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow healing of sores.

Gestational diabetes develops or is discovered during pregnancy. This type usually disappears when the pregnancy is over, but women who have had gestational diabetes have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in their lives. Gestational diabetes occurs in 2 to 5 percent of pregnancies and at higher rates among African Americans, Hispanics/Latino Americans, and American Indians/Alaska Natives. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes: NWHIC)

Diabetes: Rare Types

Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:

• Chronic Major Diseases -- Rare Types:
  • High Cholesterol -- Rare Types
  • Heart Disease -- Rare Types
  • Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Depression -- Rare Types
  • Type 2 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Type 1 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Hypertension -- Rare Types
  • Hemochromatosis -- Rare Types
  • Metabolic Syndrome -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Diabetes: Related Disease Topics

More general medical disease topics related to Diabetes include:

• All Disease Categories
• Chronic Illness
• Systemic disorders
• Immune deficiency conditions
• Pancreas conditions
• Under-diagnosed conditions
• Silent conditions
• Polygenic diseases
• Endocrine disorders
• Metabolic disorders

Research More About Diabetes

• Diabetes: Introduction
• Symptoms: Diabetes
• Complications: Diabetes
• Causes: Diabetes
• Treatments: Diabetes
• Deaths: Diabetes