Two Types of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, a serious metabolic disease that affects the body’s ability to derive energy from blood sugar, or glucose. It results when the body cannot produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed for glucose metabolism. Because all human body tissues need a steady supply of glucose, diabetes can affect every organ. In particular, it can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and nerve problems.

TWO TYPES OF DIABETES

About 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes cases are type 1, also called insulin dependent diabetes melitus (IDDM), or juvenile onset diabetes since the disease often develops in children. In this autoimmune disease, the body’s mechanisms for protecting itself from foreign organisms are turned against its own tissue. Because diabetes often develops after an infection such as chicken pox, researchers theorize that after destroying the invaders, the immune system keeps attacking; but having no worthy targets turns on body issue. The result is destructiion of the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas.

People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. They must also strictly control their diet and physical activity to maintain near-normal blood glucose levels.

The most common types of diabetes, affecting over 90 percent of diabetics, is type 2, or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM). Also termed adult onset diabetes this form typically occurs in older adults, who are usually overweight. Although these people often have adequate or even high levels of insulin, they cannot use the hormone properly. Unfortunately, because of the growing obesity problem in children, type 2 diabetes is beginning to show up in this population.

The early symptoms of type 2 diabetes may not be noticeable, so it can go undiagnosed until there is a serious complication, such as a heart attack or stroke. Although they may not experience any symptoms, the disease may be damaging the heart, blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, eyes and other organs. While much of this damage is permanent, it can be prevented with early treatment. Adults over the age of 50 should have their blood sugar levels tested every 2 years, or more often if they are overweight, or have family history

For most people with type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise alone can provide effective treatment; however, some may need oral medications to improve the effect o their own insulin, and a few may need insulin injections

source: Readers’ Digest Foods that Harm Food that Heal an A-Z Guide to safe and healthy eating

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