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 two key forms of diabetes that those individuals who are unfamiliar with the disease often 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.
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.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, the type 2 form of this disease occurs as a result of insulin resistance or insulin sensitivity combined with the body’s reduced insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is commonly seen in people who are obese, are advanced in age, have a family history and who take little or no 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 numerous different treatment options available but the most critical element of the treatment equation is the patient. This is a chronic condition but this does not mean that it has to be a lost cause and there are numerous ways to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic is the most important factor in the fight against the side effects of this all too common disease.
