Some Basic Facts About Two Common Forms Of Diabetes Mellitus

                                                                                         

The starting point when looking at diabetes is to understand that it is a chronic disease that is typified by a distorted metabolism and increased blood sugar levels that result in lower levels of insulin. It is also important to note that the symptoms of diabetes can mask themselves to look like many other disorders and the condition can therefore go undetected for many years. Screening for this particular condition is very important because early diagnosis and prompt treatment greatly increase the quality of life for individuals who are suffering from this disease.

There are 2 major forms of diabetes that those individuals who are unfamiliar with the condition frequently find it difficult to tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of cells within the pancreas which itself is the result of an auto-immune attack. It is not preventable and accounts for about ten percent of all cases of diabetes in Europe and North America. It is found in both children and adults and is sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes.

This form of the disease can be very effectively treated by diligently monitoring levels of blood glucose and adjusting the level of insulin in the body. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can require the enhancement of the body's insulin level and diabetic coma can result if there is a rapid drop in insulin.

Apart from administering insulin, type 1 diabetes is best managed by a program of exercise and diet. Individuals with this disease need to be aware of their glucose level and ensure that insulin is topped up as necessary by injection or use of an insulin pump.

Type 2 diabetes is different from the type 1 form of this disease because it occurs because of a resistance to insulin or insulin sensitivity and the body's decreased insulin production. This form of diabetes is common in people who are severely overweight, are advanced in age, have a family history and who take insufficient exercise.

People with type 1 diabetes must use medication because their bodies are unable to make insulin. However, type 2 diabetics have a few different choices when it comes to controlling their condition. Diet and exercise might well be enough to control type 2 diabetes although oral medication and insulin might also be included in treatment.

There are a variety of treatment options available but the most important element of the treatment equation is the patient. This may well be a chronic condition but that does not mean that it has to be a lost cause and there are a lot of ways in which you can keep the body healthy when you have diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic himself is the key player when it comes to fighting the side effects of this all too common disease.

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