There are two types of diabetes, but over 90 percent of people diagnosed over the age of 16 suffer from type-2 diabetes. Many people also suffer from a condition known as prediabetes, where the blood sugar level is higher than it should be, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. These people are at a substantially higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes in the future. Regardless of the type of diabetes, the sooner it is detected the better, as without proper treatment the condition will get progressively worse and can lead to a number of complications including heart disease, eye damage, nerve damage, kidney damage and hearing impairment. Knowing the differences between the types of diabetes and the symptoms to look out for can help you to make that all important early diagnosis.
Type-1 Diabetes
Generally, type-1 diabetes has an early onset, developing before the age of 40. It is the most common form of diabetes in children, but accounts for only 10 percent of adult cases. It is an autoimmune condition, which means that the immune system mistakes cells in the pancreas as harmful and attacks them. As a result, the pancreas of someone suffering from type-1 diabetes does not produce insulin, the hormone needed to regulate blood sugar levels and move glucose from the blood into cells to be used as energy. Without insulin, the body ends up breaking down fat and muscle to use as energy instead. Diabetic ketoacidosis is the condition that results from this if type-1 diabetes is not properly treated, causing severe dehydration and the bloodstream to become acidic. Unlike type-2 diabetes, which can go undetected for a long time, the onset on type-1 diabetes tends to develop quickly. As such, it should be easier to diagnose the condition at an early stage.
How to Treat It
An early diagnosis of type-1 diabetes is important so treatment can begin. Self-administered insulin injections are the primary form of treatment, as people that suffer from this condition do not produce insulin themselves. Most people require a combination of long-acting (lasting up to a day), short-acting (lasting around eight hours) and rapid-acting (work quickly but do not last long) injections. People receiving treatment for type-1 diabetes also need to learn how to take account of their blood glucose levels and how to match their injections to the food they consume and their level of exercise.
In some cases, a specially designed insulin pump can be used instead, a treatment option that is preferable for children who feel uncomfortable with frequent injections. This permanent device pumps a constant supply of insulin into the blood through a needle inserted under the skin at a rate that is controlled by the user. Islet cell transplantation is also an option for some patients, allowing for insulin-producing cells from a deceased donor’s pancreas to be implanted into their own pancreas. In a small number of cases, a full pancreas transplant may also be a viable option. Your doctor will be able to offer further advice on all of these treatment options. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will also greatly the risk of any further complications.
Type-2 Diabetes
Type-2 diabetes occurs only in adults, and for this reason is sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes. Like type-1 diabetes, it is a chronic condition, but can usually be managed without insulin injections. People with type-2 diabetes either resist the effects of insulin or do not produce enough to adequately regulate their blood sugar levels. This type of diabetes is closely tied to lifestyle factors and tends to occur among people who are overweight and have an unhealthy diet. An increase in unhealthy lifestyles is the main reason behind the surge of diabetes cases over the past decade, and as obesity becomes increasingly common, cases of type-2 diabetes are rising. Genetics also play a significant role in determining your likelihood of developing type-2 diabetes, and your risk greatly increases if a close relative has suffered from it. The condition is far more common amongst people of South Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean or black African descent.
How to Treat It
Lifestyle changes are often the most important treatment for type-2 diabetes. However, your GP or diabetes care team may also prescribe medications such as:
- Metformin: One of the most commonly prescribed medications for prediabetes, metformin reduces the amount of glucose released by the liver into the bloodstream and increases cell responsiveness to insulin.
- Sulphonylureas: This group of medicines increases the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. They are usually prescribed if metformin does not work, or if the patient is not overweight (as a possible side effect is weight gain).
- Gliptins: This medication works by preventing the breakdown of a GLP-1, the hormone that helps the body to produce insulin in response to raised glucose levels.
- Glitazones: By increasing cell sensitivity to insulin, glitazones ensure that more glucose is taken from the blood, regulating blood sugar. They are often used alongside metaformin or sulphonylureas.
Dr Chris Advises:
Obesity is a leading cause of type-2 diabetes and weight loss is often the first recommended treatment for those recently diagnosed with the condition. Simple diet and lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your risk of developing obesity related diabetes, and help manage the condition if you have already been diagnosed:
- Replacing starchy carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta and bread with low-glycaemic whole grains will help to stabilise blood sugar levels.
- A diet high in fibre (found in beans, pulses, cereals and grains) will satiate you for longer, aiding weight loss.
- Choosing healthier cooking methods such as grilling, baking and steaming instead of frying food will reduce the fat content of your meals.
- Limiting your intake of processed meats in favour of lean proteins will help you lose weight and keep you fuller for longer.
- Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will provide you with important vitamins needed to stay healthy.
- Daily physical activity is essential for weight loss. The government recommends at least two and a half hours of moderate aerobic activity per week.
- Doing regular muscle strengthening exercises can help you get fit.
- Giving up smoking and limiting alcohol intake is advised for those who have or are at risk of type-2 diabetes.
Remember!
Look out for these symptoms, they could be a sign of diabetes:
- Fatigue
- Persistent thirst
- Urinating more frequently
- Slow healing wounds
- Blurred vision
- Frequent episodes of thrush
- Unplanned weight loss
- Muscle loss
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