Archive for the ‘Diabetes’ Category

Types of Diabetes

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007

The three main types of diabetes are:

Type 1 diabetes
Also known as: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), Type I diabetes, or juvenile-onset diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Also known as: non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), Type II diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes
Gestational diabetes (diabetes of pregnancy)
Type 1 Diabetes

In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. A person with this disease must take daily injections of insulin, to survive. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children and young adults, but the disease can be diagnosed at any age. It accounts for about 5-10% of all cases of diagnosed diabetes in the United States.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90-95% of diagnosed cases in the United States. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the insulin doesn’t work effectively (or the person’s body cells don’t work with the insulin effectively). As a result, blood sugar rises to unhealthy levels.

People with Type 2 diabetes may use diet and exercise, oral medications, and/or insulin to control their blood sugar. In the past, Type 2 diabetes was a disease of older adults. However, with the rising incidence of obesity among children, more and more children nowadays are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops (or is diagnosed) in pregnant women only. The disorder usually disappears after the pregnancy is over, but women who have had gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later.

Points to Remember

People with Type 1 diabetes need injections of insulin to survive – their bodies have stopped manufacturing it. People with Type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but it does not work effectively. They may use oral medications or injected insulin to control their disease, in combination with diet and exercise. Pregnant women who develop diabetes have gestational diabetes. This disorder usually goes away after the baby is born, but the woman may later develop Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007

What is the condition Diabetes?

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus is actually not one but a group of related diseases. These diseases occur when the body is not able to use blood sugar as it normally should. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important for you to understand which type of diabetes you have. (See Types of Diabetes.)

The different types of diabetes mellitus are all disorders that make a person’s blood sugar too high. Your blood always has some sugar in it, because your body needs sugar for energy. But too much sugar in your blood is not good for your health, and causes the problems of diabetes.

It is not known exactly why a person gets diabetes. Being overweight, a member of a particular ethnic group, or related to family members with diabetes can increase a person’s risk. Diabetes is not an infectious disease, like a cold or flu. You can’t “catch” it from someone else, and no one can catch it from you.

Points to Remember

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that causes your blood sugar to become too high. Untreated, it can cause serious health problems and early death. But by teaming up with your doctor, dietician, and other health care providers, you can control your blood sugar and prevent or indefinitely delay the potentially serious consequences of diabetes.