Knowing the difference: Types of Diabetes. - The Diabetes Kitchen

Knowing the difference: Types of Diabetes.

Your family member, friend, colleague or even you may living with diabetes so, it's important to know the difference between the types of diabetes. Knowing the basics of diabetes can make your life easier, whether it's helping a friend managing their blood glucose levels or knowing what foods to eat for a healthier lifestyle.

A lot of the time, people are diagnosed with diabetes and don't know where to start or maybe they don't understand the scientific jargon their doctors have spilled to them after diagnosis. Read the article below for an easy-to-understand lesson about the difference between type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes, also known as insulin dependant diabetes due to the body's inability to produce insulin normally. Instead, the body destroys insulin cells that are produced in the pancreas therefore, insulin injections are required to manage type 1 diabetes. Generally, type 1 diabetes affects 5-10% of
all diabetes cases and is usually diagnosed before age 18. Symptoms include thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, fatigue, hunger, rapid weight loss. 

Type 2 diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes is usually linked to diet and lifestyle, however, this may not always be the case. Rather than the body's inability to produce insulin, like type 1 diabetes, with type 2, insulin has lost it's ability to reduce glucose levels in the body. Therefore, another name for type 2 diabetes is insulin resistant diabetes.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance diabetes generally occurs from middle
age onwards and is strongly linked to overweight and obesity. Furthermore, type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% of all diabetes cases. If type 2 diabetes is untreated or patients are careless with their management, more serious conditions can occur.

Gestational Diabetes:

This type of diabetes occurs in pregnant women who do not have diabetes. It is thought that during pregnancy, the placenta causes insulin inhibiting hormones thus resulting in insulin resistance.

Gestational diabetes is usually cured after birth, however, it increases the chances of type 2 diabetes later in life. Lifestyle factors also increase the chance of type 2 diabetes later in life after GDM, so it is important to opt for a healthy, balanced lifestyle. For a diabetes friendly meals and snacks visit our shop.

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Sources: Australian Catholic Univsersity Diabetes Prevalence Types

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