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Type 1
Type 2
Gestational Diabetes
Other diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
(People with Type 1 diabetes are insulin dependent and only account for
5 to 10% of all people with diabetes.)
Type 1 diabetes is when the auto-immune system causes the destruction of insulin producing cells (beta cells) in the pancreas. Scientific research has not yet found why this body self-destruction occurs. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed under the age of 30. Its incidence rate is highest in ages 12-14, but it can happen at any age. You did not do anything to get the disease and it is not contagious.
A person developing Type 1 diabetes will usually experience a sudden onset of classic diabetes symptoms:
These may lead to nausea, vomiting, and a serious and life threatening condition called ketoacidosis.
Although research points to hereditary factors being involved with developing this type of diabetes, frequently there is no known family history.
Type 2 Diabetes (around 90% of all people with diabetes )
Alarming new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's diabetes division shows that in the past 8 years the rate of diabetes has jumped 70% among people in their 30s.
A one-third jump in the rate of any disease in just eight years is unheard of and represents a national crisis. Because diabetes tends to be a silent disease, this disturbing trend hasn't gotten the attention it should.
The experts state the factors leading to this incredible increase in diabetes among such a young group could possibly be:
- a national problem with obesity
- lack of exercise
- stressful jobs and schedules that lead to improper eating - eating too much fast food or fatty food.
Type 2 diabetes occurs in people who for a variety of reasons have experienced:
- decreased insulin sensitivity or
- decreased insulin production
- or both of the above
With Type 2, a family history is usually present and African Americans, Hispanic, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans are at greatest risk.
Frequently with Type 2 diabetes symptoms don't occur for years even if you have the disease and certain factors put some people at more risk:
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes:
People with Type 2 Diabetes are treated with diet, oral medications and/or insulin.
Gestational Diabetes (About 2 to 5 % of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes.)
Gestational diabetes is a special type of diabetes that develops during a pregnancy and usually disappears after the baby is born. These women are at a high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Risks for gestational diabetes include:
- increased weight
- family history of diabetes
- high risk ethnic group - African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander and Native American
- having had a previous child that weighed over 9 lbs. at birth
- increased age at time of pregnancy
The Mercy Diabetes Team works closely with Mercy's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to provide resources for mothers-to-be with gestational diabetes.
Other causes of Diabetes (this amounts for only a very small percentage of all diabetes)
- Diabetes can also be caused by traumas ( for example - an auto accident severely injuring the pancreas)
- Cancer necessitating the removal of the pancreas
- Certain medications such as steroids and chemotherapy medications
- Other endocrine diseases
- Many other obscure causes.
