Diabetes Type 1
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body's own immune system assaults the insulin-delivering (Beta) cells of the pancreas. Individuals with type 1 diabetes can't deliver insulin i.e their body cannot produce it on its own and require long-lasting insulin substitution for endurance. Therefore glucose that needs insulin to be carried into the cells, cannot enter a cell and gets piled up in the blood, causing very high sugar levels. Type 1 Diabetes can occur at any age but mainly seen in kids and young adults. Treatment is with insulin only, either by regular subcutaneous injections or via Insulin pump.
Diabetes Type 2
Type 2 diabetes has many causative factors including genetic predisposition, poor lifestyle habits including a poor eating routine, lacking physical movement and being overweight or stout. This leads to something called insulin resistance which is the hallmark feature of type 2 diabetes. It happens mostly in individuals more than 30 years of age; but recently we are encountering many younger patients, aged in their 20’s being diagnosed with this condition.
Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetics do have insulin in their system, but the insulin response may be inadequate. Insulin resistance is the key issue in this condition, which obstructs the insulin aided flow of glucose into the cells (like muscle and liver cells). This causes glucose backlog in the blood circulation giving rise to high blood glucose levels.
Individuals with type 2 diabetes might have the option to deal with their condition through diet and lifestyle changes. But oral diabetes meds or insulin substitution may likewise be required to control glucose levels.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in the second or third trimester. Based on their risk factors, between 3 and 20 percent of pregnant women experience gestational diabetes.This typically happens during the second half of pregnancy and may go away as soon as the baby is born. An OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) is carried out to almost all Indian mothers in their second trimester to screen for Gestational Diabetes.
Around the 24-28 week of pregnancy, the placenta in the mother’s womb secretes a lot of hormones which are important for the growth of the baby. However, in susceptible mothers, these hormones can cause an insulin resistant state similar to Type 2 Diabetes. The resulting high blood sugar in the mother, if not treated, is carried to the foetus and can result in a condition called macrosomia (large baby). A large baby carries significant risk of a difficult delivery. Also these babies tend to have very low glucose levels after birth causing complications like seizures and coma. Hence it is very important to maintain a tight control on the blood sugar levels tightly during pregnancy.
The treatment is usually a combination of strict diabetic diet, mild exercise, metformin and insulin
Pancreatic Diabetes
Pancreatic diabetes is seen in Individuals whose pancreas has been affected by all conditions causing chronic pancreatitis. This may be due to long term alcohol intake, gall bladder stones or other causes. In any case, the end effect is that there is a mechanical failure of the machinery that is required for the production of insulin. Hence, the insulin levels in these patients are almost nil, and they require treatment similar to Type 1 Diabetes, which is long term treatment with insulin. In addition, these patients also require long term pancreatic enzyme supplementation.
Best Diabetologist for Diabetes Treatment:
Dr. Kalyan Gurazada is a diabetes doctor, endocrinologist, and weight loss expert in Hyderabad. He provides medical treatment for diabetes, diabetic foot ulcers, hypertension, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and more. Dr Kalyan Gurazada is the Diabetes Doctor & Endocrinologist in Hyderabad.