Some Basic Facts About The Two Main Types Of Diabetes Mellitus
The starting point when looking at diabetes is to understand that it is a chronic disease which is distinguished by a distorted metabolism and raised levels of blood sugar which result in reduced levels of insulin. It is also important to note that the symptoms of diabetes can look very much like those of a host of other conditions and the disease can therefore go undetected for years. Screening for this particular condition is important as early diagnosis and prompt treatment greatly increase the quality of life for people who have this disease.
There are 2 key types of diabetes which those people who are unfamiliar with the disease generally find it hard to separate and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells which itself is caused by an auto-immune attack. It cannot be prevented and accounts for roughly 10 percent of all cases of diabetes (or more accurately diabetes mellitus) in North America and Europe. This type of diabetes can be found in children and adults and is often called juvenile diabetes.
It is possible to treat type 1 diabetes very successfully by closely monitoring blood glucose levels and adjusting the level of insulin in the body. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can require insulin and diabetic coma or death can follow if there is a rapid drop in insulin.
Aside from administering insulin, the best form of management for type 1 diabetes is a program of diet and exercise. Individuals with this disease must know their glucose level and be sure 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 must use medication because their bodies have lost their ability to create insulin. However, type 2 diabetics have various different options when it comes to controlling their condition. In some cases exercise and diet might well be sufficient to keep type 2 diabetes under control but oral medication and insulin might also be included in a treatment plan.
There are several treatment choices available but the most critical part of the equation is the patient. This may well be chronic but that does not mean that it is a lost cause and there are many ways to keep the body healthy when you have diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic himself or herself is the key player when it comes to fighting the side effects of this all too common disease.
