How To Identify Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a very serious and widespread disease that affects most of the systems in the body. It is currently the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. It is responsible for a staggering 210,000 deaths annually and steadily rising.

What exactly is Diabetes? There are two major types of Diabetes: Type I (formerly known as juvenile onset diabetes) and Type II (which is much more common). High blood glucose levels that lead to a host of problems characterize both types.

Type I Diabetes is a disease involving the pancreas in which the body destroys its own B cells and the pancreas can no longer make insulin. With no insulin to move glucose into body cells, glucose sits in the bloodstream and the levels soar. Telltale signs and symptoms usually appear especially thirst, hunger, excessive urination and fatigue. This type is more common in people under 30 and often appears in childhood. The peak onset is 11-13 years of age. Insulin injections are required for the remainder of the sufferer's life. This can be very difficult for a child who is battling diabetes. Complications such as heart disease, strokes, blindness and limb amputations due to vascular disease are frequently found also. Fortunately, Type I Diabetes accounts for only 5-10% of all types of diabetes.

In sharp contrast, Type II Diabetes claims a whopping 90% of all types of diabetes. It usually starts at age 35 or older and is especially common in the elderly. In type II Diabetes, there can be a combination of problems. The pancreas is still able to make insulin, but often it does not make enough and/or the cells are not able to use the insulin. Unlike Type I Diabetes, insulin injections are not always necessary, because the body can often still make some insulin. Sometimes oral medications, regular exercise and good nutrition are able to control the high glucose levels.

In many ways, the two types of diabetes are similar. Type II Diabetes frequently displays the same symptoms as Type I, but they are usually much milder or absent if the disease is kept under control. Exercise and proper nutrition is essential for controlling both types, but Type I patients tend to be thin, while Type II patients are usually obese. The same kinds of complications, especially heart disease, often plague Type II patients.

Type I Diabetes can have a profound impact on the lives of children diagnosed with it. Not only do they have to adjust to major life changes such as daily insulin injections, but they also face potential problems with self-esteem and peer interaction. Family counseling and support groups are often helpful in dealing with these issues.

Diabetes also poses an added risk for the elderly who are already more prone to developing strokes and heart problems... An estimated 20% of people over age 65 have diabetes, so this is a very real problem. Often the elderly population has a difficult time adapting to the disease.

Overall, diabetes has had a devastating effect on our society with about $98 billion spent on it annually in medical costs.

Jon Arnold is an author and computer engineer who maintains various web sites on a variety of topics. More info on this topic can be found at his Diabetes Information web site at http://diabetes-data.com/

Diabetes Symptom Info

Type 1 Diabetes - Overview, Symptoms, and Management

When the body has difficulty in regulating its blood sugar, or glucose levels a disorder is contracted named, diabetes. Medically known as diabetes mellitus, it is a lifelong disease that needs to be treated and managed properly in order to prevent other serious complications to occur.

How does Type 1 diabetes is contracted?

When the immune system attacks and destroys some cells (beta cells) found in the pancreas, type 1 diabetes disease is already contracted. Type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as insulin-dependent diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease wherein patients must take daily insulin injection for the survival. This disease is one of the most chronic diseases that occur to younger people, often the children.

Because of the attack, the pancreas is unable to produce or does not produce insulin at all, which is needed by the body for the energy. The result is an increase of glucose amount in the blood, which consequently spills to the urine. The increased level may result to too many complications associated to diabetes so patients are undergoing regular medical treatment, plus they need to watch their diet.

The most common type 1 diabetes signs and symptoms are:
- Excessiveness and frequency of urination
- Excessive thirstiness
- Fatigue
- Losing weight even with increased food appetite
- Susceptibility to different infections

Diagnosing Type 1 diabetes
People with this disease can easily be diagnosed, only within a month after the onset of the symptoms. The doctors may draw blood samples from you and check or measure its content of sugar or glucose levels.

Other specific types of diagnosis may include the following:

· Random blood glucose – sample blood is drawn and checked. Level of more than 200 mg/dl is already an indication of diabetes symptom.

· Fasting blood glucose – blood is drawn early in the morning following an 8-hour period of not eating and drinking beverages except water. 126 mg/dl or higher content of blood sugar level is a diabetes symptom.

· Urine glucose – glucose may spill over to the urine so this can also be checked of sugar content.

· Urine ketones – presence of ketones in the urine is another indication of the symptom.

· Oral glucose tolerance testing – the patient is asked to drink sweet and sugary beverage after an initial fasting blood sugar is obtained.

· Glycosylated hemoglobin – this is the test done to patients who have been diagnosed using other tests. Doctors operate this test in order to monitor the insulin level of the patient upon which he prescribes a diet to maintain or control your insulin intake.

How to manage Type 1 diabetes?

To control blood sugar or glucose level, a daily one or more dose of insulin is injected to the patient. Injections can be done either through a pen/syringe directly into the skin or through a belt with a pump injecting a continuous concoction of the insulin.

The patients themselves can administer injection for themselves upon learning of the process. In the cases of children patients, their parents or older guardians may take the responsibility.
Exercise and diet to affect Type 1 diabetes patients

Dietary choices are often the same with other people without the disease provided they follow the right pyramid pattern of healthy diets. They need to eat healthy variety of foods and beverages and must eat constantly at the right time, as this is important factor for the insulin injection. Furthermore, they need to watch out on the content of nutrition labels of what they eat to maintain eating normal levels.

Physical exercising can also benefit the patients but they should know how much time and intensity of the workout that they should carry on. The main benefit that exercising can provide you is your need for insulin may decrease. It is also important to maintain regular amount of workout in the daily basis in order for you to adjust easily your insulin dosages.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of justdiabeteshelp.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes Symptom Info