Diabetes is a long-term serious health disorder in which the elevated level of blood sugar is abnormal, and it prevents the body from utilizing the energy from the food we eat. In fact, the body’s cells do not react properly to insulin because of inadequate insulin production.
A healthy pancreas regulates the amount of insulin based on the glucose level that is obtained from dietary intake of foods. But in case of the diabetic condition, the insulin production does not work and as a result blood sugar levels become very high. The glucose fuel accumulates in the blood and does not reach your cells. Then it leads to the hyperglycemic condition. Diabetes affects millions of people all over the world. Find more information about diabetes by having a glance at this article.
Type 1 Diabetes Vs Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is also known as diabetes mellitus that occurs when the sugar level in the blood becomes higher than normal. Diabetes can occur to any age group people. Majorly type 1 and type 2 diabetes plays a crucial role in reducing the lifespan of the human being. Know more about type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Overview of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is also called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes. The body’s immune system invades the cells that release insulin hormone, ultimately decreasing insulin production from the body. Without insulin production, cells cannot imbibe glucose required for the production of energy in the body. A person with type 1 diabetes usually develops illness within few weeks. Usually, children or teens are prone to this type of diabetes.
Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders: It occurs due to the triggering of autoimmune destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas.
- Environmental factors: It often develops in winter than summer due to cold weather effect. Exposure to harmful microbes also triggers the
- Genetic factors: Genes play an important role in developing type 1 diabetes. If your parents have type 1 diabetes, you will have 30% risk of developing it.
- Diet: Improper diet maintenance and late eating habits cause type 1 diabetes.
Overview of Type 2 Diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, due to the accumulation of glucose in the blood damages the organs of the body system. The body does not produce sufficient insulin and, therefore, the cells cannot utilize the insulin. Gradually the blood sugar levels become high. So type 2 diabetes commonly referred to as ‘adult onset diabetes’.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
- Sedentary Lifestyle: This leads to the development of obesity problems. Physical inactivity and overweight are the main causes of type 2 diabetes. Changes in lifestyle lower blood sugar levels at ease.
- Genetic Factors: Family members who have been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 are at a higher risk of enrooting this disease.
- Diet: Eating unhealthy foods that contain more fat content, less fiber tends to cause type 2 diabetes.
- Age: As we grow older, the risk of this type of diabetes is more. Our cells become resistant to insulin depending on age.
Symptoms of Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes type 1 and 2 are similar. In type 1 – the symptoms develop promptly, whereas in type 2 – the symptoms appear very slowly. They cannot predict easily. Here is the list of symptoms.
- Feeling tiredness
- Vision Impairment
- Increased Appetite levels
- Slow wound healing ability
- Mental confusion
- Fast Breathing and heartbeat
- Frequent Urination
- Excess hunger and thirst
- Low blood sugar
- Nephropathy
Prevention and Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes: It is advised to take a regular insulin injection that helps in moving sugar from the bloodstream. An oral medication also helps in the treatment of diabetes type 1. Good dietary plan, maintenance of physical activity, regular checkup of blood glucose levels, monitoring cholesterol levels prevents the risk of this diabetes.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Oral medication is the best treatment for type 2 diabetes. A healthy diet, regular exercise, self-monitoring of glucose levels and cholesterol levels are the good practices for diabetes prevention.
The best thing to monitor your blood glucose levels is by using a Glucose Meter. It is very important because regular checkup of glucose levels in your blood helps to prevent many health complications associated with diabetes. For better results, follow the advices of your diabetes specialist.
An overall awareness of different types of diabetes, its causes, symptoms and treatment helps you as the primary line of defense mechanism against this sick disease.