According to research, the number of diabetic patients is increasing significantly. In 1980, the number was 108 million which raised to 422 million in 2014. The mortality rate was increased by 3% from 2000 to 2019. There is a lot of data showing how diabetes is spreading widely. The number of diabetic people is increasing day by day. In today’s blog, you will learn about diabetes, its types, causes, symptoms, treatment, precautions, and the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
What is Diabetes
When glucose level is high in your blood then it is called blood sugar. It is a long-lasting or chronic disease. If the food that you eat contains fat, sugar, and starch there is a chance the sugar level in your blood will increase. The pancreas is the organ that plays an important role in breaking down food and releasing glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream. After that pancreas releases a hormone called insulin, which helps to regulate glucose levels in your blood. Insulin uses that sugar to provide energy to your body cells. When your body is not able to produce enough insulin to maintain sugar levels, then extra glucose remains in your bloodstream. This condition is called Diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes. These are:-
Type 1 Diabetes
Previously, it was called juvenile or childhood-onset and insulin-dependent diabetes. It may occur at any age and mostly it is diagnosed in young adults and children.
In this type of diabetes, the pancreas is not able to produce a sufficient amount of insulin or no insulin. So, you have to administer insulin yourself daily. The number of people who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2017 was 9 million.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin (diabetes mellitus) which is more common in adults. However, it also affects teenagers and children.
According to research, the percentage of the population with type 2 diabetes is 90-95% approx.
In this disease, the body is not able to use insulin or insulin is not working properly to maintain sugar levels in the blood. It may cause severe damage to your body that may include nerves and blood vessels.
Similarities in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Symptoms
There are common symptoms of type 1 and 2 diabetes:-
- Frequent urination or passing urine more often
- Feeling thirsty
- Blurred vision
- The feeling of exhaustion (fatigue)
- Increased hunger
- Dry mouth
- Slow healing
- Numbness in feet and hands
Complications of Diabetes
If diabetes is not diagnosed or treated in time, then it can be fatal to your vital organs such as eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels. Hyperglycaemia is known as high blood glucose.
If you are not able to manage or control diabetes, then Hyperglycaemia may cause complications such as Diabetic Ketoacidosis and long-term complications.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) can be detrimental to life. When insulin is not able to provide energy to the cells by using sugar, instead, the liver breaks down the fat to provide fuel.
During this process, the acids that are produced are called ketones. DKA is more common in type 1 diabetes, it also develops in type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Fast breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Abdominal pain
- Fruity-breath like smell
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty in breathing
- High blood sugar level
- Confusion
Symptoms of Long-term complications
- If you are suffering from Cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke
- Kidney dysfunction
- Vision loss
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- High blood pressure
Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ, based on symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Symptoms
The time taken for the symptoms of type 1 diabetes to develop may take from a few weeks to a few months. Type 2 is a life-long disease. It takes several years to develop its symptoms and sometimes they are not noticeable.
Common Symptoms
Some common diabetes in kids and young adults:-
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Unusual behaviour
- Weight loss without reasons
- Extreme feeling of hunger
- Yeast infection caused by diaper rashes
Type 1 diabetes in adults:-
- Extreme feeling of thirst
- Blurred vision
- Reoccurring infection (yeast)
- Slow healing of wounds like bruises and cuts etc.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling very tired
Type 2 diabetes in adults:-
- Renal problems (kidney)
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Repeated occurrence of yeast infection
- Vision problems
- Dry mouth
- Fruity smell in breath
- Itching or skin infection
Causes of type 1 and 2 diabetes
Causes of type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that prevents the pancreas from producing insulin in the body. Due to an autoimmune response, the body’s infection-combating system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells.
According to researchers, it may also be caused through inheritance which can be transferred from parents to their offspring.
Environmental factors (virus etc.)
Causes of type 2 diabetes
It is a common type of diabetes and there are various causes which are mentioned below:-
- Physically inactive
- Obesity
- Genetic (family history)
- Insulin resistance (fat and liver do not take up sugar from the blood and the pancreas cannot make sufficient insulin which increases glucose level)
Treatment
There is a question that frequently comes into the mind of patients, Can Diabetes Be Cured or not? Sometimes, symptoms of diabetes are not diagnosed early, but as soon as it is diagnosed the treatment should be started immediately.
Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes
Till now, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Your body is not able to produce insulin so it should be taken to maintain glucose levels in the body. However, its treatment is possible in the following ways.
Insulin Injections
Insulin shots are useful in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. You can administer it by yourself at your own convenience. It mimics the natural insulin. There are different types of insulin, depending on their response and duration such as.
Short-acting injections (30 minutes) last for 3 to 6 hours
Long-acting injections (2 hours) last for 24 hours
Rapid-acting injections (15 minutes) last for 2 to 4 hours
Ultra-long-acting injections (6 hours) last for more than 36 hours
Verapamil Capsule
On the basis of a clinical trial in 2018, it is shown that Verapamil is used for treating blood pressure which may be useful for diabetes.
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is more widely spread than type 1 which can be self-managed.
It may be done by changing one’s lifestyle and by following a particular diet which can bring glucose levels to normal.
Another option is to be physically active by doing exercises. Changes in lifestyle or daily routine may reverse the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Precautions
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented because it has an autoimmune response in the body. However, type 2 diabetes may be prevented to some extent by following these tips:-
- Follow a balanced diet by including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, olive oil, nuts, etc.
- Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, sugar, and processed foods.
- Avoids Fruits that have high sugar content.
- Do regular exercise.
- Maintain or control overweight.