Types of Diabetes
What is diabetes?Diabetes is a disease that makes it difficult for your body to turn the food you eat into fuel. The problem is closely tied to how your body makes and uses insulin, a hormone made in your pancreas (an organ in your body). Without insulin you cannot to take food into your body and use it as energy. With diabetes the body does not make or use insulin in the right way.
When everything is working right, here’s what happens when happens when you eat?
With diabetes, your body cannot move the sugar into your cells so it can be used as energy, so sugar builds up in your bloodstream. If this happens and you do not take steps to control your blood glucose levels you are putting yourself at risk for many challenging health conditions. But, by taking action, you can control your blood glucose levels, manage your diabetes and live a healthy, normal life.
There are two common types of diabetes and each type is treated a little differently.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes People with type 1 diabetes don’t make any insulin, the hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. It is an auto-immune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body’s system for fighting infection—the immune system—turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live. At present, scientists do not know exactly what causes the body’s immune system to attack the beta cells, but they believe that autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors, possibly viruses, are involved.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. It is sometimes referred to as insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes. It develops most often in children and young adults but it can occur at any age.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop over a short period, although beta cell destruction can begin years earlier. Symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue. If not diagnosed and treated with insulin, a person with type 1 diabetes can lapse into a life-threatening diabetic coma, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis. There's nothing you can do to prevent type 1 diabetes; there is currently no known way to prevent the disease. Anyone with a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes has a slightly increased risk of developing the condition.
Type 2 Diabetes The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. People with type 2 diabetes either don’t make enough insulin or it doesn’t work well. Historically this form of diabetes is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and certain ethnicities. In recent years however, there has been a steep increase in the number of children and teens with type 2 diabetes because of the increase in obesity among these are groups. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but for unknown reasons the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result is the same as for type 1 diabetes—glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel. About 6 million people in the United States with type 2 diabetes don’t even know they have it yet. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. Their onset is not as sudden as in type 1 diabetes. Symptoms may include fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds or sores. Some people have no symptoms. Often, type 2 diabetes is diagnosed during a routine medical check-up from a blood test where no symptoms are present. There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but you can manage — or even prevent — the condition. Start by eating healthy foods, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough, you may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy to manage your blood sugar. Even if type 2 diabetes runs in your family, diet and exercise can help prevent the disease. If you’ve already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the same healthy lifestyle choices can help you prevent serious complications. Eat healthy foods -- Choose foods low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Get more physical activity -- Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day. Lose excess pounds -- If you're overweight, losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can reduce the risk of diabetes.
Overview of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Pre-diabetes 57 million people in the United States are estimated to have pre-diabetes. People with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are defined as having pre-diabetes. If a person does not make changes to their lifestyle and diet they will develop type 2 diabetes in ten years or less. And if you have pre-diabetes, the long-term damage of diabetes — especially to your heart and circulatory system — may already be starting.
The ball is in your court. The progression of pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes is not inevitable. With healthy lifestyle changes including eating healthy foods, including physical activity in your daily routine and maintaining a healthy weight you may be able to get your blood sugar level back to normal. And you’ll feel a lot better too.
The exact cause of pre-diabetes is unknown, although researchers have discovered some genes that are related to insulin resistance. Excess fat — especially abdominal fat — and inactivity also seem to be important factors in the development of pre-diabetes. What is clear is that people who have pre-diabetes aren't quite processing sugar (glucose) properly anymore. The American Diabetes Association recommends blood glucose screening if you have any risk factors for pre-diabetes. This includes if:
Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects the way your body uses sugar (glucose) — your body's main source of fuel. Most women who have gestational diabetes can work with their health care team and deliver healthy babies. However, gestational diabetes that's not carefully managed can lead to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and cause problems for you and your baby. You can manage gestational diabetes by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and, if necessary, taking medication. Fortunately, blood sugar levels typically return to normal soon after delivery. Immediately after pregnancy, 5% to 10% of women with gestational diabetes are found to have diabetes, usually type 2. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 40% to 60% chance of developing diabetes in the next 5–10 years. Gestational diabetes occurs more frequently among African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and American Indians. It is also more common among obese women and women with a family history of diabetes.
Diabetes Statistics for the United States
More information on the types of diabetes on the web:
Inside Diabetes: A Visual Guide, an inside look at this disease we read so much about but never really get to “see" from Diabetes Forecast Magazine April 2010. What is Diabetes? Learn more about diabetes and blood glucose management with these interactive courses from the world-renown Joslin Diabetes Center. Each course takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. You must have the free Macromedia Flash plug-in to take these courses. Diabetes - Introduction, an interactive tutorial from the Patient Education Institute. Also available in Spanish Diabetes - Introducción. Diabetes Overview from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. All About Diabetes Information from Medical News Today. Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Also available in Spanish Guía para personas con diabetes tipo 1 y tipo 2 . Basics of Type 1 Diabetes from the American Diabetes Association Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Common Questions About Type 1 Diabetes Answers to your questions from Joslin Diabetes Center. Joslin Diabetes Center, a teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a one-of-a-kind institution on the front lines of the world epidemic of diabetes — leading the battle to conquer diabetes in all of its forms through cutting-edge research and innovative approaches to clinical care and education. Information on Type 1 Diabetes from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. What is Type 1 Diabetes?, Myths & Facts . Basics of Type 2 Diabetes from the American Diabetes Association Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Common Questions About Type 2 Diabetes Answers to your questions from Joslin Diabetes Center. Joslin Diabetes Center, a teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a one-of-a-kind institution on the front lines of the world epidemic of diabetes — leading the battle to conquer diabetes in all of its forms through cutting-edge research and innovative approaches to clinical care and education. Learn About Type 2 Diabetes from dLife.com Expert articles and videos that explore type 2 diabetes. Living With My Type 2 “Living with MyType2” is a PBS program and interactive website that launched on World Diabetes Day (November 14, 2009). A pilot project created to support teens, the site is now an online resource for anyone living with diabetes. Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Taking Steps to Lower Your Risk of Getting Diabetes from the National Institutes of Health. Journey for Control of Type 2 Diabetes, an interactive website from Merck. Basics of Pre-Diabetes from the American Diabetes Association Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "pre-diabetes"—blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are 57 million people in the United States who have pre-diabetes. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during pre-diabetes. Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes What's the Difference? By Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness.
Information about Gestational Diabetes from Joslin Diabetes Center. Joslin Diabetes Center, a teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a one-of-a-kind institution on the front lines of the world epidemic of diabetes — leading the battle to conquer diabetes in all of its forms through cutting-edge research and innovative approaches to clinical care and education. Learn About Gestational Diabetes from dLife.com Expert articles and videos that explore gestational diabetes. More than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes Talk to your doctor about your family history of type 2 diabetes and other diabetes risk factors. Learn how you can prevent or delay diabetes by losing a small amount of weight by being physically active for 30 minutes, 5 days a week and following a low-fat, reduced calorie meal plan. To get started, use this guide for ideas on moving more, making healthy food choices and tracking your progress. Small Steps for Big Rewards! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of more than 200 partner organizations. www.YourDiabetesInfo.org, part of the National Diabetes Education Program, jointly sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. |
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