WHAT IS TYPE 1 DIABETES?
Diabetes occurs when the glucose, or sugar, in the blood is poorly controlled and consistently high. Type 1 occurs when the body does not produce enough of the hormone that allows cells to absorb and use glucose. This hormone is called insulin.
While a person can prevent type 2 by avoiding a sugar-rich diet and inactive lifestyle, preventing type 1 is not possible. The immune system attacks clusters of cells in the pancreas that would normally produce insulin, called islets, stopping or slowing insulin production. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells and remains in the bloodstream.
A person with type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin for the rest of their life. Not doing so can result in ever-increasing blood sugar levels and dangerous complications.Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, although it is more common in children and young adults.
SYMPTOMS
The physical effects of type 1 diabetes include:
- increased hunger and thirst
- frequent urination
- blurred or unclear vision and problems with sight
- tirednessand fatigue
- weight loss without an apparent trigger or cause
WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?
People with type 2 diabetes do not make or use insulin correctly.Insulin is a hormone that regulates the movement of blood glucose, or sugar, into cells, which use it as energy.
When sugar cannot enter cells, this means:
- too much glucose collects in the blood
- the body’s cells cannot use it for energy
- A doctor may diagnose diabetes if a person’s blood sugar levels are 126 milligrams per deciliter(mg/dl) or above after fasting for 8 hours.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of high blood sugar in type 2 diabetes tend to appear gradually. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes will notice symptoms in the early stages.
If a person does experience symptoms, they may notice the following:
- Frequent urination and increased thirst: When excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, the body will extract fluid from tissues. This can lead to excessive thirst and the need to drink and urinate more.
- Increased hunger: In type 2 diabetes, the cells are not able to access glucose for energy. The muscles and organs will be low on energy, and the person may feel more hungry than usual.
- Weight loss: When there is too little insulin, the body may start burning fat and muscle for energy. This causes weight loss.
- Fatigue: When cells lack glucose, the body becomes tired. Fatiguecan interfere with daily life when a person has type 2 diabetes.
- Blurred vision: High blood glucose can cause fluid to be pulled from the lenses of the eyes, resulting in swelling, leading to temporarily blurred vision.
- Infections and sores: It takes longer to recover from infections and sores because blood circulation is poor and there may be other nutritional deficits.
If people notice these symptoms, they should see a doctor. Diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications. The sooner a person starts to manage their glucose levels, the better chance they have of preventing complications.