The different types of Diabetes explained
It is a fact that type 1 diabetes is a chronic illness (lifelong), and it occurs as a result of prolonged high sugar levels in the body system.
If the disease is left untreated, it can lead to a number of complications that might result in death.
Some of the serious lifelong complications that patients will suffer include, but not limited to; foot ulcers, eye damage, chronic kidney failure, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.
The type 2 diabetes always begins with resistance to the different levels of insulin in the body. Basically, the cells fail to respond well to the insulin.
As the disease progresses to higher levels, it might result to lack of insulin in some patients. This non-insulin dependent diabetes is usually as a result of one being overweight and lack of enough exercise.
The type third type of diabetes is called gestation diabetes. This particular type of diabetes affects pregnant women who have had no previous history of the disease. Overall, the expectant mother will have high levels of insulin in their body system.
Main causes of Type 1 diabetes
The type 1 diabetes is always characterized by the depreciation of insulin-producing cells in the body (beta cells) that are found in the pancreas.
It is caused by T-cell mediated autoimmune-attack that often results in the loss of beta cells, hence the reduction of insulin in the body system.
It is a fact that the lack of enough insulin in the body will lead to hyperglycemia (high levels of glucose in the blood), rather than going up to the body cells. For this reason, a patient will start exhibiting the different signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
It’s important to understand that this type of diabetes can affect children, adults and adolescents. Nevertheless, it is most prevalent in children who are “normal” from the onset.
In almost all patients, there is an always dramatic swing in the level of glucose in the body. This is one sure sign that a patient might be suffering from this type of diabetes.
It is also acknowledged that type 1 diabetes can be inherited. As a matter of fact, research shows that the existence of multiple genes in the blood including the HLA genotype are always a high risk factor in regard to diabetes 1.
Often times, the genetically predisposed persons are highly susceptible to this disease, especially after they are exposed to poor diets, bad environment, as well as issues of viral infections.
However, the onset of type 1 diabetes is not directly related to the lifestyle of the patients in any way.
It is an autoimmune disorder because the exact cause of this disease remains unknown to date. As stated, the patients might be predisposed to this disease and it can be triggered by variable factors, including infections and anything else in this range. The signs and symptoms will tend to vary from one patient to the next.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes 1
There are a number of signs and symptoms that indicate a person might be suffering of diabetes 1. However, this is always based on prevailing factors and the extent of the disease.
For instance, there are signs that will be prevalent in the onset of the disease which will relatively vary with those who have suffered it for a long period.
The First signs
The first sign of this disease might include, but not limited to; hunger pangs attacks, loss of weight, frequent urinating, blurry eyesight, and feeling tired without working hard.
Also, patients might exhibit bedwetting in children and adults will often feel urinating all the time at night. Take note that some patients will experience all the first signs while others will experience a few.
Serious signs
There are some serious signs that patients will tend to exhibit at all times. These are; fruity breath odors, stomach pain, flushed face, and dry mouth and skin.
The others that fall in this category include a feeling of nausea and vomiting and difficulty in breathing.
Take note that these signs and symptoms can lead to another unprecedented complication and even death if not taken care of in good time.
What about low blood sugar
The taking of insulin can lead to low blood sugar levels in the body, remember, swings of insulin levels can lead to a diabetes 1 patient exhibiting some signs and symptoms due to high sugar levels.
These include; headache, constant hunger, unexplained nervousness, weaknesses, sweating, and shaking.
There is always the increase of the heart beat based on all patients irrespective of age group and gender.
Overall, not all patients will exhibit these signs of diabetes 1 which is a chronic illness that can threaten a patient’s life.
Exams, Tests and Treatment
There are a number of exams and tests used to determine if one is suffering from diabetes. These main tests include; fasting blood-sugar levels, random blood sugar-level test, hemoglobin test, and oral glucose tolerance test. In some cases, ketone testing is used on patients to determine if they suffer diabetes 1.
If anyone has been diagnosed with this disease, a medical doctor might use some test to monitor a patient’s progress.
This might include; an A1C test, serum creatinine test, and checking of the skin and legs. A doctor might also check leg numbness for any diabetic related condition or disease.
Treatment
The treatment of diabetes 1 involves both the physical remedies and proper diet plans. It also entails control of blood sugar levels.
In order to control it better, patients are advised to avoid tobacco smoking and other related substances that might adversely affect their health.
A patient might get treated of blood lipid control in order to control the level of glucose in the blood system.
Additionally, kidney diseases are checked and treated as well as the screening of retinopathy known to cause blindness.
Overall, it is with great care that patients are able to live a fruitful life and might not be incapacitated by the effects of diabetes 1.
