Some Basic Facts About The Two Principle Types Of Diabetes
Author: Donald Saunders
Category: Health
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Diabetes is a chronic disease which is characterized by a distortion to the metabolism and raised blood sugar levels which lead to lower levels of insulin. The symptoms of diabetes can look very much like those of a host of other conditions and the condition can therefore go undetected for years. Screening for this particular condition is very important because early diagnosis and prompt treatment can greatly improve the quality of life for people who are suffering from this disease.
There are 2 key forms of diabetes which people who are unfamiliar with the condition frequently find it hard to separate and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes results from the destruction of cells within the pancreas which itself is the result of an auto-immune attack. It cannot be prevented and accounts for approximately 10 percent of all cases of diabetes (or more accurately diabetes mellitus) in Europe and North America. This type of diabetes can be seen in children and adults and is often referred to as juvenile diabetes.
This form of diabetes can be treated successfully by diligently monitoring blood glucose levels and adjusting the body's insulin level. Both types of diabetes can require insulin and diabetic coma or even death can follow if the body's insulin level falls too quickly.
In addition to the administration of insulin, type 1 diabetes is best managed by diet and exercise. Individuals with this disease must know their body glucose level and make sure that insulin is topped up as necessary by injection.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, the type 2 form of this disease occurs because of a resistance to insulin or insulin sensitivity combined with the body's decreased insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is commonly seen in people who are very overweight, are advanced in age, have a family history and who do not exercise.
People with type 1 diabetes must use medication because their bodies no longer have the ability to manufacture insulin. Type 2 diabetics however have several different choices when it comes to keeping their condition under control. In some cases exercise and diet might be enough to control type 2 diabetes but insulin and oral medication could also be part of a treatment plan.
There are numerous treatment plans available but the most critical element of the equation is the patient. This may well be chronic but this does not mean that it has to be a lost cause and there are plenty of ways in which you can keep your body in good health when you are a diabetic. In fact, the diabetic is the most important factor when it comes to fighting the side effects of this all too common disease.
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Keywords: diabetes, diabetes mellitus, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, juvenile diabetes
View Count: 395
Date Submitted: 1/19/2009
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