Type 1 Diabetes
- Description: An autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type requires insulin injections for management.
- Common Symptoms: Frequent urination, extreme thirst, weight loss, and fatigue.
- Management: Insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, healthy diet, and regular physical activity.
Type 2 Diabetes
- Description: The most common type, where the body either becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin. It’s often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity and inactivity.
- Common Symptoms: Increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision.
- Management: Lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), oral medications, and sometimes insulin.
Gestational Diabetes
Description: Occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the extra needs of the pregnancy. It usually resolves after childbirth, but it increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Common Symptoms: Often asymptomatic but detected through screening during pregnancy.
- Management: Diet, exercise, and sometimes insulin.
Prediabetes
- Description: A condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. It’s a warning sign and a critical time for intervention.
- Common Symptoms: Usually asymptomatic, but it can lead to Type 2 diabetes if not managed.
- Management: Lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and weight loss.
Type 1.5 Diabetes (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults - LADA)
- Description: A form of Type 1 diabetes that develops slowly and is often misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. It typically occurs in adults and may not require insulin initially.
- Common Symptoms: Similar to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
- Management: Initially managed with lifestyle changes and oral medications, but insulin is often required as the disease progresses.
