What are the types of diabetes? Hint: It's more than just Type 1 and Type 2.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Around 37.3 million Americans have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association's statistics from 2019. This makes up 11.3% of the population.
Each year, 1.4 million people are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in the U.S., according to the association. Despite the disease's prevalence and medical documentation, many may not know the different types of diabetes and what causes them.
Here's what you need to know about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and the so-called "Type 3 diabetes."
What is Type 1 diabetes?
Only 5-10% of all diabetics have Type 1, which occurs when the cells meant to produce insulin in the body do not function properly, said Dr. Kevin Peterson, Vice President of Primary Care at the American Diabetes Association.
Insulin is an essential hormone that regulates blood sugar. When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks it down into blood sugar, which is used for energy.
Beta cells in the pancreas make insulin. The hormone helps glucose reach the body’s other cells. Without insulin, glucose would build up in the bloodstream.
While its exact cause is not clear, Type 1 diabetes is believed to be impacted by an autoimmune reaction, states the CDC. This leads to the destruction of beta cells. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body does not produce insulin, said Peterson.
Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but usually occurs when a person is younger. Its symptoms include:
Polyuria, or urinating often
Polydipsia, or feeling thirsty
Extreme fatigue, or feeling very tired
The symptoms for Type 1 often come more suddenly than in comparison to Type 2, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Although it is not a hereditary disease, you are more likely to get Type 1 if a relative has it, such as a sister, brother or parent, said Peterson.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
When you have Type 2 diabetes, your body stops producing enough insulin or is not using it properly, which is known as "insulin resistance." Type 2 is generally caused by genetic and lifestyle factors, including critical social determinants of health.
It is associated with changing eating habits, engaging in lower rates of physical activity and being overweight, said Peterson. Though not considered a hereditary disorder, the likelihood of developing Type 2 is higher if a first-degree relative has the condition.
Historically, it was believed Type 2 only occurred in adults, but the disease can affect any age, said Peterson.
Those with Type 2 diabetes experience similar symptoms to Type 1. However, the symptoms may come on slower, said Peterson. Someone could be diabetic for years without noticing or presenting any symptoms.
Type 2 is largely preventable with certain lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is "diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy (gestation)," according to the Mayo Clinic. Gestational diabetes is similar to other types of diabetes in that it affects how your cells use sugar (glucose), but gestational diabetes also causes high blood sugar that can have adverse effects on the pregnancy and the baby's health, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Gestational diabetes affects up to 10% of pregnancies, according to the American Diabetes Association. And despite the considerable stigma surrounding diabetes and its causes, the ADA says we still don't know what causes gestational diabetes.
Patients who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy are also more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes after giving birth, experts say.
What is Type 3 diabetes?
Over the past two decades Alzheimer's has been referred to as "Type 3" diabetes because of a link between insulin resistance and the neurodegenerative disease. But Type 3 diabetes is more of a research term than a medical term, explained neuroscientist and researcher Guojun Bu in an interview in Everyday Health.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What are the types of diabetes?
