Diabetes is a chronic
illness which arises because of the body’s inability to use a common sugar
called glucose. In a non-diabetic person, glucose is ingested during the
consumption of sugary foods and is then used up by the body cells because of a
hormone called insulin. Insulin stimulates cells so that they take in glucose
from the blood and make energy from it. However in a diabetic person the hormone
insulin either isn’t produced or it is ineffective at stimulating cells to take
in the blood glucose. Over time, if diabetes is not controlled the concentration
of glucose left in the blood becomes dangerously high.
There are two types of
diabetes. These are:
·
Type 1 which
is also known as insulin-dependent.
·
Type 2 which
is also known as non-insulin dependent.
Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the
pancreas (the organ that is responsible for the production of insulin) doesn’t
produce insulin for use within the body because the specific cells that release
insulin are slowly destroyed by the bodies own immune system. It is not
completely understood why some people’s bodies do this but once an
insulin-producing cell dies it can not be replaced by the bodies own systems.
Thus, a person diagnosed
as a type 1 diabetic has to inject insulin a number of times a day when their
blood glucose level becomes to high. To help control their blood glucose level a
diabetic will also have to follow a dietician’s guidelines which will limit the
amount of sugary foods in the diet.
Type 1 diabetes is an
early onset condition which means that it usually begins in childhood or as a
young adult. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes include an increased thirst,
increased urination, weight loss, tiredness and fatigue. Some people may also
suffer from constipation, stomach cramps, blurred vision and skin infections
that cause a lot of itchiness.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes results
from either a lack of insulin or from the de-sensitivity of body cells to the
stimulating effects of insulin. This type of diabetes affects people as they age
and the average age of onset is 40 years. Insulin injections are not required to
treat type 2 and the condition is controlled using a balanced, healthy diet and
regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
Occasionally the blood
sugar levels become uncontrollable by diet alone and so insulin is required
however in the majority of cases this is not necessary.
The symptoms of type 2
diabetes are very similar to those of type 1 however they are not as pronounced.
In fact type 2 diabetes can remain undiagnosed for years meaning that the
condition only becomes apparent when associated conditions occur such as blurred
vision or skin ulcerations, especially on the feet.
Diabetes is a serious
illness which, if left unchecked, can be fatal however with good management it
should not hamper life in the slightest. Many diabetics, including famous ones
like Halle Berry and James Brown, lead totally normal lives thus showing that
diabetes isn’t a debilitating illness if you don’t want it to be.
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