What are different Types of Diabetes : Dr. Zaidi

There are three types of diabetes:

Type 1
Type 2
Gestational diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 95% of diabetic patients. If properly managed, it usually does not require insulin therapy.

Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, requires insulin therapy, and accounts for less than 5% of diabetics.

Gestational diabetes refers to development of diabetes during pregnancy. After pregnancy ends, most of these women return to “normal” blood glucose ranges. However, within 10 years, more than 50% of women with gestational diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes.

Old classification of Type of Diabetes

In the past, Type 2 diabetes was also called NIDDM (non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) or Adult Onset Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes was called IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) or Juvenile Onset Diabetes.

We have stopped using these older terms because they can be inaccurate and misleading.

For example, some Type 2 diabetic patients end up on insulin (due to improper treatment) and many physicians mistakenly classify these patients as IDDM (Type 1).

Although Type 1 diabetes typically develops at a young age, it can develop in an adult. In the past, most young people with diabetes were classified as Type 1. However, sometimes Type 2 diabetes develops in teenagers. Actually, Type 2 diabetes in teenagers is on an alarming rise, primarily due to our “fast food culture” and a lack of physical activity in the teenage population.

For more details, please refer to my book, “Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes Scientifically.”