Some Basic Facts About The Two Main Types Of Diabetes Mellitus
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 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 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.
This form of diabetes can be treated successfully by monitoring levels of blood glucose and adding insulin to the body. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can require supplementary insulin and diabetic coma or death can follow if there is a rapid drop in insulin.
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.
People with type 1 diabetes must use medication because their bodies can no longer create insulin. Type 2 diabetics however have a few different options when it comes to keeping their condition under control. Exercise and diet may well be enough to control type 2 diabetes but oral medication and insulin can also be included in treatment.
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.