Diabetes is divided into several different types. The main types are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both of these main types include several different subgroups with different characteristics and treatments. Some other medical conditions or therapies may also increase the need for insulin or damage the pancreas, causing diabetes. Gestational diabetes is where high blood sugar was first detected during pregnancy.
Diabetes develops individually as a result of the interplay between genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and lifestyle. The typical age of onset can vary among different types of diabetes, but practically all forms of diabetes can occur at any age. For example, most individuals develop type 1 diabetes before the age of 40, but it can also occur in older adults. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes primarily affects individuals over 40, but it can also develop in adolescence or even childhood.