Whenever we talk about diabetes, the idea of type 1 or type 2 comes to our mind. But there are more types of diabetes than this. Know what is type 4 diabetes? Its symptoms, causes, types, treatment, and how can it be prevented?

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What is Type 4 Diabetes?

Type 4 is recommended for use in older people (not known to be obese or overweight) for diabetes caused by insulin resistance.
Type 4 diabetes is not an autoimmune condition.
But this type 4 type of diabetes is linked to the aging process.
For example, type 1 and type 2 diabetes are associated with obesity or being overweight.
Type 4 diabetes patient does not have the problem of obesity or overweight, but the age is more.
Although research about type 4 diabetes is still ongoing, some connections have been discovered by scientists.

What are the symptoms of Type 4 diabetes?

The most common types of symptoms are –

Tiredness
Feeling thirsty
Wounds that take time to heal
Excessive hunger
Frequent urination
Weight loss without reason
Blurred vision

(Click to know more about how to prevent diabetes?)

What are the causes of type 4 diabetes?

Scientists have recently started researching it.
Studies are still underway to determine the cause of type 4 diabetes.
A 2015 study on rats found several links to type 4 diabetes that affects the immune system.
The researchers believed that this link is rooted in the aging process.
However, more human research is still needed on this.

Types of diabetes

Diabetes, in general, is known by most people as type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes in some cases.

Type 1 diabetes – This is mostly seen in children or adolescents. In which the immune system starts attacking the insulin cells released from the pancreas.
Type 2 Diabetes – This occurs due to two problems – one is the body does not respond to insulin – the other is that the pancreas stops making insulin over time.
Gestational diabetes – This is seen due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, which automatically gets cured after giving birth to the baby.

Special diabetes due to other reasons –

Type 3c diabetes – This type can be caused by cystic fibrosis and pancreatic cancer.
MODY – This type of diabetes develops due to genetic changes by the age of 25.
Neonatal Diabetes – It is diagnosed within 6 months of the birth of the baby. Such babies are born with genetics changes that affect their ability to develop insulin. It is different from type 1 diabetes and is not considered an autoimmune condition.
Other conditions – This type of diabetes is caused by other conditions such as pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, etc., which affect the ability to develop insulin.
Steroid-Induced Diabetes – This type of diabetes can be caused by taking steroids that affect the hormones.
Monogenic Diabetes – This includes MODY and Neonatal.

Recently, discussions have started on new types of diabetes –

Type 3 Diabetes – When the neurons present in the brain are not able to reach the required amount of insulin or due to insulin resistance, Alzheimer’s disease or a type of dementia is seen.
Type 4 diabetes – This causes insulin resistance in older people who are not obese or overweight.

What is the treatment of Type 4 diabetes?

Type 4 diabetes is not officially recognized.
Studies are going on on many things related to this condition which includes treatment.
Many researchers believe that they will soon find antibody drugs related to this condition.
Until a drug is developed for type 4, drugs for type 2 diabetes will continue to be prescribed for this.
Also, type 2 diabetics are advised to lose weight whereas in type 4 diabetics this is not the case.