What are the two main types of diabetes?

The two main types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production. This type typically develops in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age.

On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, where the body does not use insulin effectively, often coupled with a relative insulin deficiency. It is more common in adults but is increasingly being diagnosed in children due to rising obesity rates.

Understanding these two types is critical for recognizing the varied physiological mechanisms and treatment options associated with diabetes management. Other options presented, such as Type 3, gestational, and prediabetes, refer to conditions associated with diabetes but do not represent the primary classifications of the disease itself. Type 3 is not widely recognized and is often discussed in relation to Alzheimer's disease, while gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and prediabetes reflects a state of higher-than-normal blood glucose levels not yet at the threshold for diabetes.