The starting point when looking at diabetes is to understand that it is a chronic condition that is typified by a distortion to the metabolism and increased levels of blood sugar that give rise to lower 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 condition can thus go undiagnosed for many years. Diabetic screenings are important because early diagnosis and prompt treatment greatly improve the quality of life for people who have this condition.
There are 2 key forms of diabetes that individuals who are not familiar with the disease usually find it hard to tell apart 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 is not preventable and accounts for roughly 10 percent of all cases of diabetes in Europe and North America. Type 1 diabetes can be found in both children and adults and is what people are referring to when they talk about juvenile diabetes.
This form of diabetes can be treated successfully by monitoring blood glucose levels and adjusting the body’s insulin level. Both types of diabetes can require the enhancement of the body’s insulin level and diabetic coma or death can result if the body’s insulin level falls too quickly.
Aside from the administration of insulin, the best form of management for type 1 diabetes is diet and exercise. People with this condition must know their glucose level and be sure that insulin is replaced by injection.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, the type 2 form of this disease occurs because of a resistance to insulin or insulin sensitivity together with the body’s reduced insulin production. This type of diabetes is commonly seen in people who are obese, are elderly, have a family history of this condition and who do not take enough exercise.
Type 1 diabetics have to take medication because their bodies have lost their ability to make insulin. But, type 2 diabetics have various different choices when it comes to controlling their condition. Exercise and diet could well be sufficient to keep type 2 diabetes under control but insulin and oral medication may also be included in treatment.
There are many treatment options available but the most critical part of the treatment equation is the patient. This is a chronic disease but this does not mean that it is a lost cause and there are a variety of ways to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic is the key player in the fight against the side effects of this unfortunately all too common condition.
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