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Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar (glucose) into energy. Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence.
Type 2 diabetes is a similar - although much more common - condition in which the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or the body produces some, but not enough, insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level.
Various factors may contribute to type 1 diabetes, including genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. But advances in blood sugar monitoring and insulin delivery have simplified the daily routine of managing type 1 diabetes. With proper treatment, people who have type 1 diabetes can expect to live long, healthy lives.
Type 1 diabetes symptoms may seem harmless at first. Look for:
Increased thirst and frequent urination.
Extreme hunger.
Weight loss.
Fatigue.
Blurred vision.
To understand type 1 diabetes, first you must understand how glucose is normally processed in the body.
Glucose is a main source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and other tissues. Glucose comes from two major sources: the food you eat and your liver. During digestion, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Normally, sugar then enters cells with the help of insulin.
The hormone insulin comes from the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach. When you eat, your pancreas secretes insulin into your bloodstream. As insulin circulates, it acts like a key by unlocking microscopic doors that allow sugar to enter your cells. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. As your blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from your pancreas.
Your liver acts as a glucose storage and manufacturing center. When your insulin levels are low - when you haven't eaten in a while, for example - your liver releases the stored glucose to keep your glucose level within a normal range.
In type 1 diabetes, your immune system - which normally fights harmful bacteria or viruses - attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leaves you with little or no insulin. Instead of being transported into your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream.
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Genetics may play a role. Exposure to certain viruses may serve as a trigger as well.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Treatment for type 1 diabetes is a lifelong commitment of monitoring blood sugar, taking insulin, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. The goal is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible to delay or prevent complications. In fact, tight control of blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of diabetes-related heart attacks and strokes by more than 50 percent.
If managing your diabetes seems overwhelming, take it one day at a time. And remember that you're not in it alone. You'll work closely with your diabetes treatment team - doctor, diabetes educator and registered dietitian - to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible.
Blood sugar monitoring
Depending on what type of insulin therapy you select or require - single dose injections, multiple dose injections or insulin pump - you may need to check and record your blood sugar level up to four or more times a day. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains within your target range.
Even if you take insulin and eat on a rigid schedule, the amount of sugar in your blood can change unpredictably. With help from your diabetes treatment team, you'll learn how your blood sugar level changes in response to:
Food. What and how much you eat will affect your blood sugar level. Blood sugar is typically highest one to two hours after a meal.
Physical activity. Physical activity moves sugar from your blood into your cells. The more active you are, the lower your blood sugar level. To compensate, you might need to lower your insulin dose before unusual physical activity.
Medication. You need insulin to lower your blood sugar level. But any other medications you take may affect your blood sugar level as well, sometimes requiring changes in your diabetes treatment plan.
Illness. During a cold or other illness, your body will produce hormones that raise your blood sugar level. This might require changes in your diabetes treatment plan.
Alcohol. Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time.
Stress. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly.
For women, fluctuations in hormone levels. As your hormone levels fluctuate during your menstrual cycle, so can your blood sugar level - particularly in the week before your period. Menopause may trigger fluctuations in your blood sugar level as well.
In addition to daily blood sugar monitoring, your doctor may recommend regular A1C testing to measure your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Compared with repeated daily blood sugar tests, A1C testing better indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working overall. An elevated A1C level may signal the need for a change in your insulin regimen or meal plan.
Insulin and other medications-Healthy eating-Physical activity
Once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's main source of fuel. Type 2 diabetes is often preventable, but the condition is on the rise - fueled largely by the current obesity epidemic.
When you have type 2 diabetes, your body is resistant to the effects of insulin - a hormone that regulates the absorption of sugar into your cells - or your body produces some, but not enough, insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. Left uncontrolled, the consequences of type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening.
Type 1 diabetes is a similar, although much less common, condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but there's plenty you can do to manage - or prevent - the condition. Start by eating healthy foods, including physical activity in your daily routine and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough, you may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy to manage your blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes symptoms may seem harmless at first. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not even know it. Look for:
Increased thirst and frequent urination.
Extreme hunger.
Weight loss.
Fatigue.
Blurred vision.
Slow-healing sores or frequent infections.
Some people who have type 2 diabetes have patches of dark, velvety skin in the folds and creases of their bodies - usually in the armpits and neck. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, is a sign of insulin resistance.
In type 2 diabetes, this process works improperly. Instead of moving into your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. This occurs when your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your cells become resistant to the action of insulin. Exactly why this happens is uncertain, although excess fat - especially abdominal fat - and inactivity seem to be important factors.
Treatment for type 2 diabetes is a lifelong commitment of blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular exercise and, sometimes, diabetes medications or insulin therapy. The goal is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible to delay or prevent complications. In fact, tight control of blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of diabetes-related heart attacks and strokes by more than 50 percent.
If managing your diabetes seems overwhelming, take it one day at a time. And remember that you're not in it alone. You'll work closely with your diabetes treatment team - doctor, diabetes educator and registered dietitian - to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible.
