Terminology ...

... surrounding the different types of diabetes. Many people have said to me, because you are so old when you got diabetes, it must be adult onset diabetes. This is yet another misconception or it is mostly mislabeled. Yes, I was an adult when I was diagnosed with diabetes; however, its not type-2 or adult onset diabetes. I have type-1 diabetes.

There are 3 types of diabetes.

Type-1 (formerly called juvenile onset) also known as insulin dependent. This form of diabetes is far more serious then the other types. Mainly because before the discovery of insulin, people would only have a few months to live. The body has lost the ability to create insulin. The reason why type-1 diabetes was called juvenile onset diabetes because no more then 10 years ago, if you were diagnosed with diabetes younger then 20, it was type-1. This type cannot be managed solely by diet, exercise and weight loss. People must take insulin injections (hence insulin dependent). There is not a 'typical' looking type-1 diabetic, they could be anyone.

Type-2 (formerly call adult onset) also known as non-insulin dependent. This form of diabetes is far more prevalent - it makes up 90% to 95% of all diabetics. When you read that there are millions of people out there that don't know they have diabetes, they are mostly referring to this type, as if they were type-1s, they would be dead with in months (see above). This form of diabetes can managed with diet, exercise and weight loss. Insulin sensitizers are often prescribed (Metformin is an example). However, as type-2 diabetics have the disease for longer and longer, it usually becomes necessary for them to have to start to take insulin (in combination with sensitizers) as the insulin sensitizers become less and less effective over time. A typical type-2 diabetic is older (45+), overweight (or obese) and lead a sedimentary lifestyle. Since most type-2s are older, it was dubbed "adult onset". However, the scary part is that because of the American sedimentary lifestyle, younger and younger people are being diagnosed.

Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs only in pregnant women. It is similar to type-2 diabetes, where the women can manage it through diet. Usually women who are overweight or obese are diagnosed with this type of diabetes. After pregnancy, blood glucose levels usually return to normal levels. It should be noted that, women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes have a higher chance of developing type-2 diabetes later in life.