Understanding Diabetes: More Than Three Types of a Growing Health Condition

Diabetes is often described as having three main types, but medical experts say the disease is more complex as research continues to reveal new subtypes and variations that affect people differently throughout life.

Diabetes occurs when glucose, or sugar, builds up in the bloodstream because the body cannot properly convert food into energy. Normally, the pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. When the body stops producing insulin or cannot use it effectively, blood sugar levels rise, leading to symptoms and long-term health risks.

Common early warning signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst or hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, increased infections, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. Untreated diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, vision loss, and amputation. Doctors emphasize that early detection and treatment through medication, diet, and exercise significantly reduce these risks.

Physicians increasingly recommend routine screening, particularly for individuals with risk factors such as being overweight, age 45 or older, limited physical activity, family history of diabetes, certain ethnic backgrounds, or conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome or gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Although three primary forms of diabetes are widely recognized, specialists note there are many subtypes. Dr. Andrey Manov, a board-certified physician in internal medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, says numerous forms of the disease exist and estimates that as many as one in three people either has diabetes or is at risk of developing it.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is the least common form, affecting fewer than 1.6 million Americans. It typically develops suddenly and requires lifelong insulin therapy. In the most common subtype, known as Type 1a, the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Another subtype, Type 1b, develops without an autoimmune cause and occurs more often among people of Asian or sub-Saharan African descent. Though frequently diagnosed in children, Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age and currently cannot be prevented.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and is usually identified between 24 and 28 weeks. It can pose health risks for both parent and child but often resolves after birth. However, individuals who experience gestational diabetes and their children face a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life and should receive ongoing monitoring.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90 percent of diagnosed cases, affecting more than 34 million Americans. The condition develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough of it. While historically diagnosed in adults over 40, Type 2 diabetes is increasingly seen in younger populations.

Treatment typically combines lifestyle changes and medication aimed at lowering blood sugar levels. Doctors say regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, and weight management can reduce risk and, in some cases, delay or prevent the disease. Experts estimate that 80 to 90 million Americans have prediabetes, a condition marked by elevated blood sugar levels that often progresses to Type 2 diabetes without intervention.

Alcohol consumption can also affect blood sugar control, and patients are encouraged to discuss drinking habits with their physicians.

Health professionals stress that diabetes is a manageable condition. Early screening, treatment, and lifestyle changes can help individuals maintain long-term health and reduce complications. Anyone experiencing symptoms or with a family history of diabetes is encouraged to speak with a healthcare provider about testing and prevention strategies.