Diabetes is a group of diseases in which the body doesn’t produce enough or any insulin, doesn’t properly use the insulin produced, or exhibits a combination of both. When any of these things happens, the body cannot get sugar from the blood into the cells. That leads to high blood sugar levels.
Glucose, the form of sugar found in your blood, is one of your main energy sources. A lack of insulin or resistance to insulin causes sugar to build up in your blood. This can lead to many health problems.
There are two types of diabetes, which consist of Type I and Type II. It is important to understand the distinction between the two and how both are treated.
Type 1 diabetes is commonly found in children and/or adolescents but may also occur in adults. With type 1 diabetes, there is almost always a complete deficiency of insulin. As a result, the most common treatment is insulin injections, a lifestyle that consists of both diet and exercise and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood testing monitors.
Patients who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes can continue to enjoy a normal life providing they continue with their treatment and take special care to follow their doctor’s instructions and/or recommendations.
There may be both genetic and environmental reasons. Lifestyle factors aren’t thought to play a role.
With type 2 diabetes, an individual’s insulin level is usually either normal or sometimes even elevated but is not deficient. This form of diabetes is believed to be more complicated than type 1 but ironically is thought to be easier to treat. Because insulin is still being produced inside the body, type 2 diabetes often goes undetected for years. Symptoms are milder and may even be sporadic, which often reduces the level of concern. The main problem with type 2 diabetes going unnoticed is the potential for serious complications, including renal failure and coronary artery disease.
The initial treatment phase of type 2 diabetes will likely include a lifestyle adjustment to feature increased physical activity and a diet geared toward weight loss. The next step, if necessary, will be medication and possibly insulin therapy if needed. The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown. Contributing factors may include genetics, lack of exercise being overweight. There may also be other health factors and environmental reasons. Both types of diabetes require that the patient maintain normal blood glucose levels to reduce the possibility of organ damage, including eyesight, kidney, blood circulation, etc. For this to occur, patients must carefully monitor their food intake and participate in regular exercise, all the while continuing to monitor their blood glucose level.
As of 2006, there is no known cure for diabetes. A chronic disease that affects many, diabetes is best treated through patient education, nutrition, self-awareness, and long-term care. In addition, patients are often urged to be aware of other symptoms that may indicate complications arising from diabetes.
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