Types Of Diabetes - Important Facts You Wanted To Know

By Author: Jessica Cristina
Total Articles: 10
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If you’re wondering what is type 1 diabetes and other types of diabetes, you’re at the right place. Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes, which depends on insulin therapy.

Diabetes is a chronic health condition wherein either the pancreatic beta cells are not able to produce or manage insulin. Insulin is nothing but a special hormone that helps in transporting glucose (derived from the food we eat) to all the cells in the body for its proper functioning.

When insulin is produced or managed properly, glucose is not distributed throughout the body. As a result, glucose accumulates in the blood and its level goes on increasing. This accumulation of glucose in the blood leads to diabetes. Apart from type 1, other types of diabetes include type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, which only occurs in pregnant women.

Diabetes risk factors

Despite it being around for most of the time now, the exact cause of diabetes is still not known. However, medical experts do conclude that it is the body’s own immune system, responsible for fighting bad bacteria and viruses, mistakenly attacks and destroys the pancreatic beta cells.

While type 1 diabetes is triggered when the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin, type 2 diabetes takes place when although insulin is produced, the body is not able to utilize it properly.

Besides, other possible diabetes causes include obesity, stress, sedentary lifestyle, family history, medical history, environmental factors, immune system, etc. Obesity during pregnancy is one of the major risk factors for gestational diabetes.

Diabetes symptoms

Long before diabetes is diagnosed, the body tries to flush out all the glucose through the kidneys, resulting in more frequent toilet visits. Frequent urination is one of the major signs of type 2 diabetes as well as that of type 1 diabetes.

Other symptoms include:

● Increased thirst and or appetite
● Unintended weight loss
● Irritability and mood-swings
● Blurred vision
● Fatigue and weakness

Diabetes symptoms tend to appear quickly - maybe just in a few days or weeks. Once diabetes symptoms are spotted, it is advisable to see a doctor at the earliest.

Diabetes treatment

As diabetes is a chronic medical condition, unfortunately, there is no cure available for it. The only way to control blood glucose levels is by taking up insulin therapy in the form of insulin injections or pumps, along with other prescribed medication.

Based on your health, your doctor will suggest you go for any type of insulin including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting, and premixed. Regular insulin therapy helps in diabetes management by keeping glucose levels in control.

Diabetes care

Regardless of how diabetes shows up in your life, you can still lead a healthy and normal life by following a strict diabetes management plan. Your diabetes care routine should include insulin therapy, prescribed medications, physical exercises, healthy eating and regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels.

Besides, always make sure that you reach out for help from your family, caregivers, and other people living with any type of diabetes.