Diabetes Types and Treatments
There are two diabetes types. The difference between them lies in their causes and the age of the patients. Diabetes treatments are also different, depending on the type.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the destruction of beta cells (special cells in the pancreas responsible for the production of insulin) by the immune system of the patient. The insulin hormone becomes deficient and can’t perform its normal functions.
In people with this type of diabetes, the cells don’t get nutrients from sugar as it can’t access them. As a result sugar gets accumulated in the blood, while the cells need nutrients to provide energy for the body and its organs. High blood sugar levels and, as a result, cells deprived of important nutrients (they can get only from glucose) can lead to:
• Body damage. High blood sugar levels affect small blood vessels located in the kidneys, eyes and heart, predisposing the person to atherosclerosis and damaging nerves.
• Dehydration. As the body is trying to eliminate the excess of sugar, the patient may experience an increase in urination. However, as the urine saturated with glucose goes through kidneys, a lot of water is lost, which results in dehydration.
• DKA (Diabetic ketoacidosis). As the cells desperately need energy and nutrients, the body starts looking for another source, finding it in fats cells and breaking them down. As a result the products of the breakdown – ketones (acidic chemicals) – are used by the cells to receive energy. Ketoacidosis is a life-threatening disease that can develop as a result of the combination of acid accumulation, excessive glucose and dehydration.
• Unplanned weight loss. When your body loses sugar through urine, it means many calories are also being eliminated. People with high blood sugar tend to lose weight.
Type 1 diabetes is most likely to occur in people under 20, although other age groups may be affected.
Of the two diabetes types, this one is found less commonly: 1 out of 250 Americans currently has it. It’s more likely to be found in people with fair skin, and it doesn’t depend on the sex.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the production of certain amounts of insulin; however, the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas is either insufficient or the body has an inadequate reaction to it. This condition can be described as insulin resistance. When the insulin present in the body can’t be used properly, it fails to get into the cells; as a result the cells can’t function as they should. There are also certain problems that can happen because of these abnormalities:
• Dehydration because of the loss of fluids
• Body damage
• Diabetic Coma. It’s a life-threatening complication that is caused by severe dehydration and the inability of the patient to restore the fluids lost by the body.
Although this type of disease can occur in anybody, people at risk are those with a lot of excessive weight, suffering from gestational diabetes, patients with metabolic syndrome and those whose parents also had type 2 diabetes.
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