Types of Diabetes Mellitus

The American Diabetes Association estimates that over 20 million men, women and children or approximately 7 percent of the nation's population have diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as simply diabetes. There are three different types of diabetes recognized by the World Health Organization -- Type 1, Type 2 and gestational. Symptoms of diabetes may include things like dry mouth, excessive urination, blurred vision and more. Your doctor can diagnose diabetes using a series of blood and/or urine tests.

Type 1 diabetes is commonly diagnosed in childhood which is why it is commonly known as juvenile diabetes. If you have Type 1 diabetes this means that your body cannot produce insulin, which it needs to convert blood glucose into energy necessary for survival. This is a serious condition that can lead to serious, even fatal complications if left untreated. Heart disease, blindness, nerve damage and organ failure are some of the risks associated with Type 1 diabetes. Luckily, this condition can be managed with regular testing, proper diet and insulin therapy.

The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes. With Type 2, your body either does not produce a sufficient amount of insulin or the insulin is ignored. Although Type 2 diabetes is a serious concern, it can sometimes be prevented with proper diet and exercise. Even if you can't prevent this type of diabetes from developing, there are ways to manage it. Blood sugar levels can be reduced and kept at steady levels with proper nutrition and exercise. Your doctor can help you learn how to manage your blood sugar levels and keep your diabetes under control.

Then there is gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy in women who have never been diabetic before. Managing gestational diabetes is especially important because both the health of the mother and unborn baby is at stake. This condition can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes later in life for both mother and baby. Not only that, but babies can grow too large and suffer shoulder injuries during birth and respiratory issues. They also have a higher chance of obesity and diabetes in adulthood.

Pre-diabetes does not technically fit into the category of diabetes mellitus, but is something that should be addressed. If you are prediabetic, this means you are on the verge of developing Type 2 diabetes. With prompt attention, you can possibly prevent pre-diabetes from developing into something more severe. Keeping cholesterol down, maintaining a healthy body weight, getting enough exercise and eating a healthy diet are all important in the fight against diabetes.

Copyright 2007 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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