Finding Your Way Around The Two Main Forms Of Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition which is distinguished by a distortion to the metabolism and raised blood sugar levels which lead to reduced insulin levels. It is also important to note that the symptoms of diabetes can mask themselves to look like many other disorders and the condition can therefore go undetected for many years. Screening for this particular condition is very important because early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the quality of life for individuals who are suffering from this disease.
There are 2 key forms of diabetes which those people who are unfamiliar with the condition often find it hard to tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells which itself is the result of an auto-immune attack. It cannot be prevented and accounts for about 10% of all cases of diabetes in Europe and North America. This form of diabetes is found in children and adults and is often called juvenile diabetes.
This form of diabetes can be treated successfully by diligently monitoring blood glucose levels and adding insulin to the body. Both types of diabetes can require supplementary insulin and diabetic coma or even death can result if there is a rapid drop in insulin.
Apart from the administration of insulin, the best form of management for type 1 diabetes is diet and exercise. People with this disease must know their glucose level and be sure that insulin is replaced as needed by injection or use of an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes is different from the type 1 form of this disease because it occurs because of insulin resistance or a sensitivity to insulin combined with the body’s decreased insulin production. This form of diabetes is commonly seen in people who are obese, are advanced in age, have a family history of this condition and who do not take enough exercise.
Individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes have to take medication because their bodies can no longer create insulin. However, type 2 diabetics have a number of different options in terms of controlling their condition. Diet and exercise may well be enough to control type 2 diabetes but insulin and oral medication can also be included in treatment.
There are many different treatment options available but the most important element of the equation is the patient. This is a chronic disease but this does not mean that it has to be a lost cause and there are many ways to keep the body in good health when you have diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic himself or herself is the key player when it comes to fighting the side effects of this unfortunately all too common condition.
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