An Introduction To The Two Commonest Forms Of Diabetes Mellitus

An Introduction To The Two Commonest Forms Of Diabetes Mellitus

By:


Diabetes is a chronic condition which is characterized by a distortion to the metabolism and increased levels of blood sugar which give rise to reduced levels of insulin. The symptoms of diabetes can look very much like those of a host of other conditions and the disease can go undiagnosed for years. Screening for this particular condition is very important as early diagnosis and treatment can greatly increase the quality of life for individuals who are suffering from this condition.

There are two main forms of diabetes which those individuals who are not familiar with the disease usually find it difficult to tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes results from the destruction of pancreatic beta cells which itself is caused by an auto-immune attack. It is not preventable and accounts for about 10% of the cases of diabetes (or more accurately diabetes mellitus) in Europe and North America. Type 1 diabetes is seen in children and adults and is what people are referring to when they talk about juvenile diabetes.

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

In addition to taking insulin, type 1 diabetes is best managed by a program of exercise and diet. People with this condition need to be aware of their glucose level and make sure that insulin is replaced 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 insulin resistance or insulin sensitivity combined with the body's reduced insulin production. This type of diabetes is common in people who suffer from obesity, are advanced in age, have a family history and who take little or no exercise.

Type 1 diabetics have to take medication because their bodies have lost their ability to manufacture insulin. However, type 2 diabetics have a few different choices when it comes to controlling their condition. Diet and exercise may be sufficient to control type 2 diabetes but insulin and oral medication may also be included in a treatment plan.

There are numerous different treatment options available but the most critical part of the treatment equation is the patient. This may well be a chronic condition but that does not mean that it is a lost cause and there are a lot of ways to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from diabetes. In fact, the diabetic is the key player in the fight against the side effects of this unfortunately all too common condition.

About the Author:
If you have questions about diabetes then there is no better place to visit than http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com where you will find a wealth of answers to your diabetes questions



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


Tags: , , , ,

|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent Health Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Site Navigation:

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.