Types of Diabetes and Their Treatments

 Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is classed as a metabolism disorder. Metabolism refers to the way our bodies use digested food for energy and growth. Most of what we eat is broken down into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar in the blood - it is the principal source of fuel for our bodies.

When our food is digested, the glucose makes its way into our bloodstream. Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However, glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present - insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose.

 Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. After eating, the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to move the glucose present in our blood into the cells, as soon as glucose enters the cells blood-glucose levels drop.

A person with diabetes has a condition in which the quantity of glucose in the blood is too elevated (hyperglycemia). This is because the body either does not produce enough insulin, produces no insulin, or has cells that do not respond properly to the insulin the pancreas produces. This results in too much glucose building up in the blood. This excess blood glucose eventually passes out of the body in urine. So, even though the blood has plenty of glucose, the cells are not getting it for their essential energy and growth requirements - You may like to read, Diets That Can Help Curb Diabetes.

Facts About Diabetes

• Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. 
• Insulin produced by the pancreas lowers blood glucose.
• Absence or insufficient production of insulin causes diabetes.
• Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue.
• Diabetes is diagnosed by blood sugar (glucose) testing.
• The major complications of diabetes are both acute and chronic.

Acute complications: dangerously elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia), abnormally low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) due to diabetes medications may occur.
Chronic complications: disease of the blood vessels (both small and large) which can damage the feet, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart may occur - You may also read, Six Foods For Better Heart Health.

 Types of Diabetes
 Type 1 Diabetes - The body does not produce insulin. Some people may refer to this type as insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes, or early-onset diabetes. People usually develop type 1 diabetes before their 40th year, often in early adulthood or teenage years.
Type 2 Diabetes - The body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin - insulin resistance.
Gestational Diabetes - This type affects females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose.

Diabetes treatment depends on the type and severity of the diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet.
Type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise.
Gestational Diabetes - Diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made during pregnancy. The majority of gestational diabetes patients can control their diabetes with exercise and diet - You may read, 7 Healthy Eating Tips.

When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications and other injectable medications are considered.

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