Understanding The Two Principle Types Of Diabetes

By Donald Saunders

Diabetes is a chronic condition which is typified by a
distorted metabolism and raised levels of blood sugar which
lead to reduced levels of insulin. The symptoms of diabetes
can look very much like those of a host of other conditions
and the disease can therefore go undiagnosed for years.
Screening for this particular condition is important because
early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the quality of
life for those who have this condition.

There are 2 key types of diabetes that individuals who are
not familiar with the disease normally find it difficult to
tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of cells within
the pancreas which occurs because of an auto-immune attack.
It cannot be prevented and accounts for approximately ten
percent of the cases of diabetes in North America and
Europe. Type 1 diabetes is found in children and adults and
is often referred to as juvenile diabetes.

It is possible to treat type 1 diabetes very successfully by
closely monitoring levels of blood glucose and adjusting the
level of insulin in the body. Both forms of diabetes can
require the enhancement of the body's insulin level and
diabetic coma can result if the body's insulin level falls
too quickly.

Apart from the administration of insulin, the best form of
management for type 1 diabetes is a program of exercise and
diet. People with this condition need to be aware of their
body glucose level and ensure that insulin is replaced by
injection or use of an insulin pump.

Type 2 diabetes is different from the type 1 form of this
disease because it occurs as a result of insulin resistance
or a sensitivity to insulin combined with the body's reduced
insulin production. This form of diabetes is common in
people who are obese, are advanced in age, have a family
history and who do not exercise.

Type 1 diabetics have to use medication because their bodies
cannot make insulin. Type 2 diabetics however have several
different choices in terms of controlling their condition.
Diet and exercise might well be enough to keep type 2
diabetes under control but oral medication and insulin might
also be included in treatment.

There are numerous different treatment options available but
the most critical element of the treatment equation is the
patient. This is a chronic condition but this does not mean
that it has to be a lost cause and there are numerous ways
to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from
diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic is the most important factor
in the fight against the side effects of this all too common
disease.

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Beyond Your Type 2 Diabetes Symptom

Just because you don't have the symptoms doesn't mean you
don't have. This may not always be true though and
understanding the true nature of a type 2 diabetes symptom
may help save your life.

The Figures

Having the condition means that the cells in your body are
not reacting properly to the work of insulin which is
supposed to open up the cells to glucose. Without glucose in
your cells you will have no clear source of energy.

More people suffer from Type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes.
It is estimated that at least 90% of diabetics belong to
the type 2 category. The sad fact though is that more than
6% of diabetics are not aware that they have the condition.
The lack of awareness may be due to a dismissal of seemingly
harmless type 2 diabetes symptoms or a total lack of warning
signs.

Different Symptoms

Although type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1, the
former is much easier to deal with since it does not involve
the pancreas and insulin production. Despite the difference
in cause however, both types of diabetes share the same
symptoms. A diabetic might begin to feel frequently tired,
thirsty and may have occasionally blurry vision and wounds
that do not heal quickly.

The main difference between the two types is in the onset of
the symptoms . A type 1 diabetes symptom can develop rapidly
and worsen in the span of a few weeks. Even with the rapid
symptom development however, cell damage may already have
been occurring for some time before type 1 diabetes is
finally discovered. A type 2 diabetes symptom on the other
hand is not as obvious and as bad as a type 1 symptom.

Effects of No Symptoms

Effects of not detecting or not having a type 2 diabetes
symptom may be drastic. The key to effectively managing this
chronic disease is early detection. Once you fail to detect
a type 2 diabetes symptom however, you can suffer from
complications that are even more difficult to reverse. Some
diabetics only realize that they have type 2 diabetes
because of complications like retinopathy, heart ailments,
kidney problems and nerve deaths. A complication is
therefore their only type 2 diabetes symptom.

Uncommon Risk Factors

A family history of diabetes and one's weight should be
enough to warn you about the condition. You should however
also consider yourself at high risk of developing diabetes
if you are over 45 years old, had a baby over 9 pounds and
had a history of gestational diabetes or pre diabetes. For
undetermined reasons, individuals who are Asian, African,
Hispanic and American are at greater risk of developing
diabetes.

What Has to be Done

Naturally, you would need to consult experts in diabetes to
help you manage your condition or your type 2 diabetes
symptom. There are however basic things you should remember
on your own. You should monitor your glucose levels, take
your medication as prescribed, follow your diet and exercise
plans and watch and manage your weight.