Diabetes Mellitus (diabetes): Type 1 and Type 2

Now that you know what diabetes is and the role insulin plays in controlling the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood, let's move on to the 2 common types of diabetes which are:

                                            (i) Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and

                                            (ii) Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes was formerly known as juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but was traditionally termed "juvenile diabetes" because it represents a majority of the diabetes cases in children. Most affected people are otherwise healthy and of a healthy weight when onset occurs.

Type 1 diabetes occurs due to the decrease in the cells that produce insulin (beta cells). Remember that these cells are only in the pancreas. These insulin-producing cells are destroyed (either by our own immune system or some other reason) resulting in a decrease in the number of these cells. Therefore, less insulin is produced.

Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin, making wise food choices, being physically active and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

Type 2 diabetes was formerly called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. It is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age - even during childhood. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes!!! (>.< OK, must start to exercise alrdy).

In Type 2 diabetes, all the beta cell producing the insulin are healthy. However, other cells become insulin-resistant. This means that the other cells do not respond as well as they normally do to insulin. Remember in the previous post that insulin functions to help other cells (like fat cells, muscle cells and liver cells) to absorb glucose from blood? Well, in this case, while there is enough insulin being produced, the fat, muscle and liver cells do not respond to insulin properly. This is called insulin-resistance, or decreased sensitivity to insulin.

In time, the amount of insulin produced will also decrease.

SUMMARY:

Type 1 diabetes: It is insulin-dependent.

                          The body produced little or no insulin.

                          To overcome this, the patient will have to take insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes: It is insulin-independent.

                         The body produces enough insulin but the cells are insulin-resistant.

                         To overcome this, the patient will have to control the amount of 
                         sugar in their diet.

                         This is the most common type of diabetes that result from obesity
                         and too much sugar intake! And this is definitely the type of 
                         diabetes you DON'T want to have because you can no longer eat 
                         yummy stuff!