Diabetes Types
Diabetes is basically a group of metabolic diseases attributed by high blood sugar levels. The disorder in insulin secretion causes diabetes. Insulin is produced in the organ pancreas, and is an essential hormone, which is responsible for turning sugar and other food into energy. When a person suffers from diabetes, the body not only fails to produce enough insulin, but also is not able to use its own insulin. As a result, sugar builds up at an alarming amount in the body. The high increase in sugar leads the spillage of glucose in the urine.
In 2003, it was discovered that more than 18 million of U.S residents suffered from diabetes. This makes about 10% of the total number of people suffering from diabetes worldwide. However, many people are still unaware of the conditions and the severely damaging vconsequences.
Diabetes mellitus is a disease related to the endocrine system. The endocrine system basically has glands that secrete hormones, which are responsible for regulating metabolism, reproduction, and growth. When any one of them pivotal glands the adrenals, this results in pancreas secreting either too little or an excessive amount of hormone, and due to which the whole body losses balance.
There are two types of diabetes known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or Type1 Diabetes, and Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes also known as Type2 Diabetes. People suffering from type 1 disease should intake insulin daily in order to live a normal life. This is because the immune system that fights against infection in turn attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. Therefore, the pancreas then fails to produce enough or no insulin at all for the body.
Although the scientists have still not figured out the reason for the body’s immune system attacking the beta cells, but it is believed that environmental factors, genetics, and possible viruses are involved. In United States, there are about 10 to 15 percent of diabetic patients suffering from type 1 diabetes. Although Type 1 diabetes can appear in any age, but mostly children and young adults are the victim.
The classic symptoms of Type 1 diabetes involve constant hunger, blurred vision, excessive weight loss, and increased thirst. If a person is not diagnosed and treated with insulin, then there are chances that the person can slip into a life-threatening diabetic coma.
The most common form of diabetes nowadays is Type 2 diabetes. This kind of diabetes is linked with older age, family history of diabetes, and obesity. For about 90 to 95 percent people die of type 2 diabetes in United States. By the time, Type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed, the pancreas usually produces much insulin, but the body is unable to use the insulin effectively. With time, insulin production also decreases and the consequences are same as in Type 1 diabetes.
The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, weight loss, infections, and excessive thirst. However, some people do not even experience any symptoms.
Families that have a history of diabetes have greater chances and risk of developing diabetes. One must always know that if diabetes is not treated properly or not treated at all, then it may lead to severe health problems.
- Following an appropriate meal plan
- Frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)
- Administering insulin injections and knowing how to adjust the doses depending on results of SMBG
- Controlling/treating hypoglycemia
- Adding or maintaining an appropriate level of physical activity
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