What are the types of diabetes?
There are two main categories of diabetes:
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes is present from a young age. If you suffer from type 1 diabetes, your immune system kills the cells within your pancreas that make insulin. This leaves you without natural insulin to control your blood glucose levels. You can't prevent type 1 diabetes, but you can stay healthy with your doctor's help.
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood. If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your pancreas makes insulin, but you've become resistant to its effects, which is called insulin resistance. This spurs your pancreas into overproduction, and may eventually cause cell death in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is usually preventable.
Another type of diabetes is gestational diabetes, which develops in pregnant women who've never had diabetes before. Women who develop gestational diabetes have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
In the beginning, you might not notice any symptoms. That's one reason it's so important to have wellness physicals. During your physical, your doctor determines whether you're at risk or showing early signs of diabetes.
Some symptoms to watch for include:
- Weight gain or loss
- Being unusually thirsty all the time
- Being unusually hungry
- Blurry vision
- Chronic exhaustion
- Dry mouth
- Numbness or tingling in your extremities
- Slow-healing wounds
Many type 2 diabetes sufferers don't notice any symptoms until the disease is quite advanced. Type 1 diabetes may have more obvious signs, earlier in the disease.
Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes?
Because type 2 diabetes is preventable, knowing the risk factors is important. Controllable risk factors include:
- Extra weight
- Poor diet
- High blood pressure
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Previous heart attack or stroke
There are a few things you can't control, however, including age and ethnicity. If you're 45 or older and are, for instance, African-American, Asian-American, or Hispanic, you're at risk.
How is diabetes treated?
Type 1 diabetics need to replace their missing insulin with either insulin injections or an insulin pump. Type 2 diabetics can sometimes control their disease with a healthy diet and exercise. However, you may also need daily oral medication. With both types of diabetes, healthy lifestyle choices are crucial.
If you’re concerned about diabetes, call Ross Bridge Medical Center today or use the online booking tool to schedule a consultation.
