StemCell Therapy

True or false: Type 1 diabetes is only diagnosed in children, and type 2 diabetes only occurs later in life. Although type 1 diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes and type 2 was called adult-onset diabetes, the answer is actually false, said Lindsey Elder and Erin Boccia, certified diabetes educators at the Community Diabetes Outreach Services center in Newton, Kan. Not everyone who has type 1 diabetes was diagnosed with the disease as a child, and children can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. And while both diseases affect the bodys production of insulin, there are some major differences between the two conditions. Diabetes is a pretty complex disease, Boccia said.

About type 1 diabetes Elder and Boccia said type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The bodys immune system mistakes insulin-producing cells for foreign invaders, and then attacks and destroys those cells. Those with type 1 diabetes produce little to no natural insulin, and they will need to remain on insulin treatments for the rest of their lives. The onset of type 1 diabetes typically is rather rapid, with symptoms such as frequent urination and extreme thirst. The disease is not preventable and is not impacted by lifestyle choices. Research into pancreas transplants and stem cell treatments have shown some promise.

About type 2 diabetes Most cases of diabetes about 90 to 95 percent are type 2. Unlike type 1 diabetes, this disease develops through insulin resistance rather than insulin destruction. The body continues to produce insulin but doesnt use it efficiently. The insulin-producing cells can lose function gradually over time. Elder and Boccia said type 2 diabetes is impacted by a persons diet and lifestyle choices. Being overweight or obese, particularly in the stomach area, can increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, as can a family history of diabetes. Treatment options include managing diet and exercise, oral and injectable medications, and insulin.

Living with diabetes Elder and Boccia said the key to living a healthy, normal life with diabetes is learning as much as you can about your condition. Contact a local diabetes education center, such as the Community Diabetes Outreach Services center in Newton, and find out the best treatment plan for you. Its important to control your blood sugar levels, or complications such as eye and kidney problems can result. Its also important to take an active role in your treatment. Its every day, Boccia said. Its largely a self-managed disease. The doctor cant be with you 24/7 to make those decisions.

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Differences between type 1 and 2 diabetes

This entry was posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:12 pm and is filed under Diabetes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |