4 Types of diabetes you need to know

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is one of the most common chronic diseases in Indonesia. This disease can cause complications if the condition continues to get worse, so it is important to get the right treatment. There are several types of diabetes that may occur. Different types, different handling. What types of diabetes are there?

4 Types of diabetes you need to know

There are several classifications of diabetes, of which the ones you probably know the most about are diabetes mellitus (DM) types 1 and 2. There is also a type of diabetes that is experienced during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes.

It is not easy to distinguish between types 1 and 2 diabetes because in general the symptoms of the two diabetes are similar. The difference between the two is in the cause. Type 1 diabetes is related to heredity, while type 2 diabetes is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.

However, research in recent years has also shown that diabetes insulin hormone function problems also affect the brain, causing Alzheimer's disease. This condition was later introduced as type 3 diabetes.

The following is a review of each classification of diabetes mellitus:

1. Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when the body is unable or completely unable to produce the hormone insulin. In fact, insulin is needed to keep blood sugar levels normal.

This condition is less common than type 2 diabetes. Generally, type 1 diabetes occurs and is found in children, adolescents, or young adults, although it can occur at any age.

Type 1 diabetes is most likely caused by the body's immune system, which is supposed to fight pathogens (germs) mistakenly so that it attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (autoimmune). The error of the immune system in this can be influenced by genetic factors and exposure to viruses in the environment.

Therefore, people who have a family history of this type of diabetes are at high risk of developing this disease. Often people with type 1 diabetes need lifelong insulin therapy to control their blood sugar.

2. Type 2 diabetes

This type of diabetes is more common than type 1. Citing the CDC page, it is estimated that about 95 percent of diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes.

In general, this type of diabetes can affect anyone at all ages. However, type 2 diabetes is usually more likely to occur in adults and the elderly due to unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as inactivity and being overweight.

Unhealthy lifestyle causes the body's cells to be immune or less sensitive to respond to the hormone insulin. This condition is also known as insulin resistance. As a result, the body's cells cannot process glucose in the blood into energy and glucose eventually builds up in the blood.

To overcome the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, patients need to live a healthier diabetes lifestyle, such as adjusting their diet and increasing physical activity. The doctor may also give diabetes drugs to lower high blood sugar in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, which requires additional insulin, treatment through insulin therapy is not commonly used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes.

3. Type 3 diabetes

Type 3 diabetes is a condition caused by a lack of insulin supply to the brain. The lack of insulin levels in the brain can reduce the work and regeneration of brain cells, which can lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease itself is included in a neurodegenerative disease or a decline in brain function that occurs slowly due to a decrease in the number of healthy brain cells. Damage to brain cells is characterized by a decrease in the ability to think and remember.

A study from a journal Neurology demonstrated that the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia could be many orders of magnitude higher in diabetics than in healthy individuals.

The study explained that the relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer's is actually a complex matter. Alzheimer's in diabetics is likely caused by insulin resistance and high levels of sugar in the blood, causing damage in the body — including damage and death of brain cells.

The death of these brain cells is caused by the brain not getting enough glucose. Even though the brain is a vital organ of the body that requires the most blood sugar (glucose). Meanwhile, the brain relies heavily on the hormone insulin to absorb glucose.

When the brain does not have enough insulin, glucose intake to the brain is reduced. As a result, the distribution of glucose to the brain is uneven and brain cells that do not get glucose will die and trigger Alzheimer's.

However, there are other mechanisms that explain that Alzheimer's can occur by itself without following diabetes. However, both are triggered by similar risk factors, namely a high consumption pattern of carbohydrates and glucose.

Moreover, the treatment of type 1 and 2 diabetes does not affect brain insulin levels so it does not have a positive impact on Alzheimer's management. Therefore, further research is still needed to understand the mechanism of diabetes that triggers Alzheimer's.

4. Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women. This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and can affect pregnant women, even if they don't have a history of diabetes. According to the American Pregnancy Association, this diabetes classification arises because the placenta of pregnant women will continue to produce a special hormone.

Well, this hormone prevents insulin from working effectively. As a result, your blood sugar levels become unstable during pregnancy.

Most women do not know that they have this type of diabetes because often gestational diabetes does not cause specific symptoms and signs.

The good news is, most women who experience this type of diabetes will recover after giving birth. In order not to cause complications, pregnant women who experience this type of diabetes mellitus need to check their health and pregnancy at a doctor regularly. In addition, the lifestyle also needs to be changed to be healthier.

Women who are pregnant at the age of 30, are overweight, have had a miscarriage or a stillborn baby (stillbirth), or have a history of hypertension and PCOS, have a high risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Which type of diabetes is more dangerous?

Each type of diabetes mellitus has dangerous symptoms and complications. Moreover, everyone's body is different so that the response to treatment can be different.

Not to mention that the patient's lifestyle will determine the success rate of diabetes treatment. If after being diagnosed you do not maintain your diet, rarely exercise, lack of sleep, continue to smoke, and do not regularly check your blood sugar, you are at higher risk of developing various complications of diabetes.

Diabetes can lead to other dangerous diseases such as stroke, hypertension, and kidney failure. By taking diabetes treatment properly and following a healthy lifestyle, you can still control your diabetes, regardless of its type.