What is Diabetes
Diabetes is referred to as "a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy" (CDC, 2021). In essence, your body normally releases insulin from the pancreas to break down the sugars in foods and turn them into energy for the body to use. With diabetes, however, your body either doesn't produce insulin, or the insulin produced is ineffective in breaking down the sugars. There are two primary types of diabetes, Type 1, primarily referred to as Juvenile onset diabetes, and Type 2, primarily referred to as Adult onset diabetes. Both types are somewhat similar, though also quite different from one another, we'll take a look at the two different types below.
Note: There is also a third type of diabetes known as Gestational Diabetes, this is essentially Type 2 diabetes that presents during and lasts throughout the course of pregnancy.
Type 1 Diabetes -- "Juvenile" Onset
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas makes little or no insulin. "Type 1 diabetes (previously called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes) is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, but it can develop at any age" (CDC, 2021). It is the more rare form of diabetes with roughly 5-10% of all diabetic cases being type 1. It can be managed by checking your blood sugar frequently, along with medication such as insulin injection, insulin pump therapy, Metformin or Glucophage medication and coupled with a healthy lifestyle and good diet. There is no known cause for Type 1 diabetes; however, it is believed to be caused by the body's own autoimmune system attacking the beta cells in the bloodstream. The symptoms mimic other health conditions, so it is recommended that, if you feel as though you may have Type 1 diabetes, you immediate go and get tested for it (CDC, 2021)
Type 2 Diabetes -- "Adult" Onset
Type 2 is a similar chronic disease in which "there are primarily two interrelated problems at work. Your pancreas does not produce enough insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — and cells respond poorly to insulin and take in less sugar" (Mayo Clinic, 2021). Type 2 used to be known as Adult onset diabetes, but it is now known that both Types 1 and 2 can occur at any age. Type 2 diabetes can, in a lot of cases, be managed without the use of insulin medications, and can actually be essentially treated into non-existence with a healthy diet and lifestyle, though in some cases Metformin or Glucophage medication is needed or recommended. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes "may include:
Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Increased hunger
Unintended weight loss
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Slow-healing sores
Frequent infections
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck" (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
If these symptoms are present, see your doctor as soon as possible.
References:
CDC (2021). What is Diabetes? Retrieved from What is Diabetes?
CDC (2021). What is Type 1 Diabetes? Retrieved from What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Mayo Clinic (2021). Type 2 Diabetes -- Symptoms and Causes Retrieved from Type 2 diabetes - Symptoms and causes
Diabetes is referred to as "a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy" (CDC, 2021). In essence, your body normally releases insulin from the pancreas to break down the sugars in foods and turn them into energy for the body to use. With diabetes, however, your body either doesn't produce insulin, or the insulin produced is ineffective in breaking down the sugars. There are two primary types of diabetes, Type 1, primarily referred to as Juvenile onset diabetes, and Type 2, primarily referred to as Adult onset diabetes. Both types are somewhat similar, though also quite different from one another, we'll take a look at the two different types below.
Note: There is also a third type of diabetes known as Gestational Diabetes, this is essentially Type 2 diabetes that presents during and lasts throughout the course of pregnancy.
Type 1 Diabetes -- "Juvenile" Onset
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas makes little or no insulin. "Type 1 diabetes (previously called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes) is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, but it can develop at any age" (CDC, 2021). It is the more rare form of diabetes with roughly 5-10% of all diabetic cases being type 1. It can be managed by checking your blood sugar frequently, along with medication such as insulin injection, insulin pump therapy, Metformin or Glucophage medication and coupled with a healthy lifestyle and good diet. There is no known cause for Type 1 diabetes; however, it is believed to be caused by the body's own autoimmune system attacking the beta cells in the bloodstream. The symptoms mimic other health conditions, so it is recommended that, if you feel as though you may have Type 1 diabetes, you immediate go and get tested for it (CDC, 2021)
Type 2 Diabetes -- "Adult" Onset
Type 2 is a similar chronic disease in which "there are primarily two interrelated problems at work. Your pancreas does not produce enough insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — and cells respond poorly to insulin and take in less sugar" (Mayo Clinic, 2021). Type 2 used to be known as Adult onset diabetes, but it is now known that both Types 1 and 2 can occur at any age. Type 2 diabetes can, in a lot of cases, be managed without the use of insulin medications, and can actually be essentially treated into non-existence with a healthy diet and lifestyle, though in some cases Metformin or Glucophage medication is needed or recommended. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes "may include:
Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Increased hunger
Unintended weight loss
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Slow-healing sores
Frequent infections
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck" (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
If these symptoms are present, see your doctor as soon as possible.
References:
CDC (2021). What is Diabetes? Retrieved from What is Diabetes?
CDC (2021). What is Type 1 Diabetes? Retrieved from What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Mayo Clinic (2021). Type 2 Diabetes -- Symptoms and Causes Retrieved from Type 2 diabetes - Symptoms and causes
