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updated:
October 4, 2009
Diabetes Information
The word diabetes simply means increased urine production. Diabetes mellitus on the other hand implies a condition where the increased urine is caused by high levels of glucose (sugar).
TYPES OF DIABETES MELLITUS
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1a diabetes. When one refers to type 1 diabetes, it generally means type 1a diabetes. In This type of diabetes the body’s immune system fails to recognize the insulin producing β-cells as a part of self. Therefore, the immune system attacks these cells resulting in a decrease in or a complete failure in the production of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose to get into the body cells and glucose is the primary source of energy, insulin treatment is required for survival. Type 1a diabetes generally occurs in younger individuals.
Type 1b diabetes. This type of diabetes generally refers to a lack of insulin because of some physical destruction of the insulin producing cells. This can occur from pancreatitis, cancer, trauma or other causes.
LADA. Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults.
This is a slow onset type 1 diabetes. Some people call it type 1 1/2. LADA differs from typical type 1 diabetes in that it is very slow in onset and may not appear until the person is well into adulthood. People with this form of diabetes may be successfully treated with pills for a while but will sooner than later require insulin treatment.
Type 2 diabetes.
This is the most common form of diabetes. Approximately 95% of the people with a diagnosis of diabetes will have type 2 diabetes. It generally begins with what is called insulin resistance. The person has enough insulin but it doesn't work very well. As the body attempts to compensate for the insulin resistance, there may even be a temporary excess of insulin. This disease generally starts after age 35 but there are increasing numbers of adolescents developing type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes are generally obese and frequently have a family history of diabetes. Risk factors for developing this disease include:
- Family history of diabetes
- Obesity
- Habitual physical inactivity.
- High risk ethnic group (African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans).
- Having had elevated blood glucose (sugar) from any cause.
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol or other blood fats.
- History of gestational diabetes.
- History of Delivery of a baby weighing > 9 lbs.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome.
People with type 2 diabetes can generally be initially treated with lifestyle changes and pills. Eventually, however, pills fail to work because type 2 diabetes is progressive. The insulin producing β-cell eventually fails. Pills are not effective enough to control diabetes if the pancreas is not producing sufficient amounts of insulin. Therefore, more than 85% of people with type 2 diabetes will eventually end up with insulin therapy.
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Symptoms of high blood glucose
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Symptoms of low blood glucose hypoglycemia
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