TYPE OF DIABETES

TYPE 1 DIABETES

• Juvenile-onset diabetes caused by auto-immune reaction where the body’s defence system attacks the cells that produce insulin. • People with type 1 diabetes produce very little or no insulin.

• Affects people from any age, but usually develops in children or young adults and they need to be injected with insulin every day to control the glucose level in the body

• Can lead to death if there is no access to insulin.

RISK FACTOR: Still being researched. However, having a family member with type 1 diabetes increases the risk. Environmental factors and exposure to viral infection also risk type 1 diabetes.

TYPE 2 DIABETES

• Non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes.

• Can occur at any age

• May remain undetected for many years and diagnosis is often made when routine blood or urine glucose test is done.

• Can be managed through exercise and diet. However, over time most people would require oral drugs or insulin.

RISK FACTOR: Family history, overweight, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, age factor, ethnicity, history of GDM

GESTATIONAL DIABETES (GDM)

• Diabetes consisting of high blood glucose levels during pregnancy.

• Develops one in 25 pregnancies worldwide.

• Associated with complications to both mother and baby.

• Usually disappears after pregnancy but women with GDM and their children are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

• Half of women with history of GDM go on to develop type 2 diabetes within five to 10 years after delivery.