Type 1 diabetes
The type I or type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. In this, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces very little or no insulin. Thus, person suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.
Recent researches indicate that it takes about four to seven years for this destruction. Unfortunately, the symptoms do not occur until 80 to 90 per cent of the beta cells have been destroyed.
It is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) or Juvenile diabetes. It is the most severe type of diabetes. It develops or occurs when pancreas makes little or no insulin. Without insulin in the blood stream, sugar does not get into the cells, and remains in the blood.
Risk Factors
1. A family history increases the risk of type 1 diabetes.
2. It occurs mainly under the age of 20.
3. It happens in people of every race but is common among whites.
It usually develops in childhood and youth, generally during the first 20 years of life but can also occur later in life. It accounts for approx. 10 percent of all cases.
Insulin dependent diabetes can be controlled by lowering the blood glucose level by daily injections of insulin and taking a balanced diet.
Type 2 diabetes
The type II or type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. About 90-95% of the people suffering with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. People with type ii diabetes usually do not require injections of insulin. They can control the glucose in their blood by watching their diet, doing regular exercises and oral medication.
Most people recognize that they have type 2 diabetes only when a routine test shows the presence of sugar, or blood test reveals the presence of high blood glucose levels. Strangely, people suffering from this type of diabetes may have normal levels of insulin in their blood, but the body cells in these individuals refuses to accept insulin, and as a result, sugar stays and accumulates in the bloodstream.
This phenomenon is known as insulin resistant state. Exactly what causes the cells to become resistant to insulin is not fully understood, but excess weight and fatty tissues seem to be important factors. Most people who develop type ii diabetes tend to be overweight.
Risk Factors
1. Like type 1 diabetes, it also runs in families.
2. It is more common among Native American, African-American, Latinos and Hispanics.
3. Lack of exercises and decreased physical activities.
4. Risk of this type of diabetes also increases with overweight. People with type 2 diabetes have generally sedentary lifestyles and are obese.
5. Gestational diabetes during pregnancy also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later.
Women who have given birth to babies weighing 9 pounds or more have also higher risk.
Read information about Diabetes Herbal Treatment. Also find effective Herbal Remedies for Diabetes.
