Type 1 Diabetes
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a lifelong disease that develops when the
pancreas produces too little or no insulin. Insulin lets sugar (glucose)
enter body cells, where it is used for energy. Without enough insulin, the
blood sugar level rises above what is safe for the body. If the blood sugar
level becomes very high, a life-threatening emergency can develop. Over
time, high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the
body and increase the risk of eye, heart, blood vessel, nerve, and kidney
disease.
Type 1 diabetes is a common type of diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, although it usually develops
in children and young adults. Because of this, type 1 diabetes was
formerly called juvenile diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes was also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
(IDDM) because people with this type of diabetes must take insulin.
- About 5% to 10% of all people with diabetes have type 1.
What causes type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes develops because of an autoimmune response in which the
body does not recognize some of its own cells and destroys them. In type 1
diabetes, the cells that produce insulin (beta cells within the islet tissue
of the pancreas) are destroyed.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, weight
loss, fatigue, and blurred vision.
Symptoms usually develop quickly, over a few days to weeks. Occasionally,
symptoms are first noticed after an illness, such as the flu. The person may
think the symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) are related to the
illness and may not think that medical care is needed. However, without
medical care, blood sugar levels can rise high enough to cause severe
problems, such as confusion or even coma.
Who is at risk for type 1 diabetes?
People who have a close relative (parent, brother, or sister) with type 1
diabetes are more likely to develop the disease. Other factors that increase
a person's risk are being Caucasian and having certain antibodies (islet
cell antibodies) in the blood. Having certain viral infections (especially
Coxsackie virus) and not being breast-fed beyond the age of 3 months may
increase the risk for type 1 diabetes.
Can it be prevented?
Currently there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. However, studies
are being done to evaluate ways of preventing or delaying the onset of
diabetes in people who are most likely to develop the disease.
People with type 1 diabetes can help prevent or delay the development of
complications from diabetes by keeping their blood sugar levels within a
safe range. Complications include small blood vessel (microvascular)
disease, such as eye and kidney disease, and large blood vessel (macrovascular)
disease that affect the heart and larger blood vessels. Higher blood sugar
levels predict a higher risk for both microvascular and macrovascular
complications.
How is it treated?
Treatment for type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping blood sugar levels
within a safe range. Treatment includes eating a well-balanced diet, taking
insulin, and getting regular exercise. Treatment is adjusted based on the
results of daily home blood sugar tests.
How does it affect a person's life?
People with type 1 diabetes can live long, healthy lives. People who
follow a treatment plan designed to fit their needs feel better and are more
in control of their lives. In addition, they are better able to prevent or
delay damage to their eyes, heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves. For
children, keeping blood sugar levels within a safe range helps them grow and
develop normally.
Who is affected by type 1 diabetes
About 16 million people in the United States have diabetes, which is
about 6% of the population. Nearly 800,000 people are diagnosed with the
disease each year.
About 5% to 10% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes most often develops in girls around 10 to 12 years
of age and in boys around 12 to 14 years of age.
- The incidence of type 1 diabetes seems to be increasing and there
appears to be an increase in young children diagnosed with the
disease. Why this is occurring is not clear.
- Whites have a higher rate of type 1 diabetes than other racial
groups.
Type 2 Diabetes
This topic provides general information about type 2 diabetes. It will
help you learn about the disease and how you may be able to prevent
it if you are at risk. If you have been diagnosed with type 2
diabetes or have had the disease for a while, one of the following
topics may be more helpful to you.
- If you have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, see the
topic Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed. It will give you
information about the tests that may be done to confirm the
diagnosis and the lifestyle changes that you will need to make to
take care of yourself.
- If you have diabetes but do not have any eye, kidney, heart,
nerve, or blood vessel disease related to diabetes, see the topic
Type 2 Diabetes: Living with the Disease. It will give you
information about what you need to do to take care of yourself
each day and how to prevent or at least delay complications from
diabetes.
- If you have type 2 diabetes and already have one or more
complications, see the topic Type 2 Diabetes: Living with
Complications. It will give you information about how to stay as
healthy as possible and stop or at least slow the progression of
your complication from diabetes.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that develops when the
pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or when the body tissues
become resistant to insulin. Insulin lets sugar (glucose) enter body
cells, where it is used for energy. It also helps the body store
extra sugar in muscle, fat, and liver cells. The stored sugar can be
released later and used for energy when needed.
Because insulin is not available or is not used properly, the
blood sugar level rises above what is safe. In type 2 diabetes,
blood sugar levels often rise gradually, taking several years to
reach unsafe levels and cause symptoms. If blood sugar levels remain
high for years, blood vessels and nerves throughout the body may be
damaged, and you may be at increased risk for eye, heart, and kidney
disease.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. About 90% to
95% of all people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes was formerly called non–insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes.
- Some people may incorrectly believe that type 2 diabetes is
the milder form of diabetes. However, type 2 diabetes can cause
the same harmful effects as type 1 diabetes.
- There are other less common types of diabetes, including
gestational diabetes and secondary diabetes.
What causes type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body's tissues become resistant
to insulin. Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells and
tissues do not fully respond to the action of insulin, a hormone
that controls the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The body
then needs more insulin to control its blood sugar levels. The
pancreas produces more insulin to try to keep blood sugar levels
normal. In addition, the liver releases extra glucose in an effort
to make more glucose available to the cells. As time goes on, the
pancreas becomes less able to produce enough insulin and the tissues
become more resistant to insulin, causing diabetes to develop.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent
urination, increased hunger, unusual weight loss, extreme fatigue,
and irritability. However, in type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels
rise so slowly that a person usually does not have symptoms and
likely has had the disease for many years before it is diagnosed.
A person may discover that he or she has type 2 diabetes during a
regular medical checkup or during an appointment for another illness
or condition, such as high blood pressure, a persistent infection,
or a slow-healing wound. Some people do not find out that they have
type 2 diabetes until they have a complication from the disease,
such as vision problems, kidney disease, or heart and blood vessel
problems. It is estimated that about eight million people in the
United States have type 2 diabetes and do not know it.
Who is at risk for type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is more common in people over the age of 40.
However, the number of children being diagnosed with this disease is
increasing. People who develop type 2 diabetes often are overweight
and not physically active.
Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
- Blood sugar levels that are above normal but below what is
needed to diagnose diabetes. This is called impaired glucose
tolerance; about one-third of people with impaired glucose
tolerance will develop type 2 diabetes at some point in their
lives.
- Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes.
- Being African-American, Hispanic American, Native American, or
Pacific Islander.
- History of gestational diabetes or delivery of a large baby
[over 9 lb (4.08 kg)].
- High blood pressure or high levels of cholesterol in the
blood.
Can it be prevented?
People at risk for developing type 2 diabetes may be able to
prevent or at least delay the disease by eating a balanced diet and
getting regular exercise. Losing excess weight can decrease the
body's resistance to insulin and increase the body's ability to use
insulin more effectively, thereby decreasing the risk for developing
type 2 diabetes. Quitting smoking and getting good treatment for
high blood pressure or high cholesterol may also help prevent type 2
diabetes.
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
Type 2 diabetes cannot be cured. However, it can be treated.
Treatment focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a safe range.
It requires daily attention to diet, exercise, monitoring of blood
sugar levels, and possibly medication. Treatment also involves
frequent medical checkups to evaluate the treatment and monitor for
complications of the disease.
How do you prevent complications?
Complications from diabetes can develop if blood sugar levels are
consistently above a safe range. These complications can lead to
serious disabilities or early death. Because diabetes is a risk
factor for many forms of heart disease, people who are diagnosed
early and follow their prescribed treatment can decrease their risk
for developing heart disease. In addition, they may be able to
prevent or delay damage to their eyes, kidneys, blood vessels, and
nerves.
Maintaining blood sugar levels within a safe range is the key to
preventing complications from diabetes. People who follow a
treatment plan designed to fit their specific needs can live long,
healthy lives. |
Who is affected by type 2 diabetes
About 16 million people in the United States have diabetes, which is
approximately 6% of the population. About 798,000 people are
diagnosed with diabetes each year. Most people of these people (90%
to 95%) have type 2 diabetes. Also, it is estimated that about 8
million people in the United States have type 2 without knowing that
they have the disease.
The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age.
- Most people with type 2 diabetes were diagnosed with the
disease after age 40.
- Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in African-Americans,
Hispanic Americans, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders than in
whites.
Children with type 2 diabetes
The number of children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is
increasing.
- Until recently, the only type of diabetes common in children
was type 1 diabetes; only 1% to 2% of children with diabetes were
believed to have type 2 or other rare types of diabetes. Recent
reports indicate that from 8% to 45% of all children with newly
diagnosed diabetes have a form other than type 1. The majority of
these children have type 2 diabetes.
- Most children with type 2 diabetes have a family history of
diabetes, are overweight, and are physically inactive.
- In children, type 2 diabetes usually develops around puberty
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What is the difference between type 1 and
type 2 diabetes?
In general, people with diabetes either have a lack of insulin (type
1 diabetes) or they have too little or cannot use insulin effectively
(type 2 diabetes).
- Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset or
insulin-dependent diabetes), accounts for 5% to 10% of all people with
diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system destroys the
cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin altogether
from the body. Without insulin, the body cells cannot absorb sugar
(glucose) and utilize it to produce energy.
- Type 2 diabetes (formerly called mature-onset or
non–insulin-dependent diabetes) can develop at any age, but most
commonly becomes apparent during adulthood. It accounts for the vast
majority of people with diabetes—more than 90% of the people. In
contrast to type 1 diabetes, type 2 is characterized by insulin
resistance. Insulin resistance refers to the inability of the body
tissues to respond properly to insulin. Insulin resistance develops
because of multiple factors, including genetics, obesity, increasing
age, and having high blood sugar over long periods of time.
The following are ways in which type 1 and type 2 are different.
- People with type 1 diabetes usually start having symptoms in
childhood or young adulthood. They usually seek medical help because
they are seriously ill from sudden symptoms of high blood sugar. On
the other hand, most people with type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms
at all.
- More people with type 1 diabetes experience acute diabetic
problems than people with type 2 diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. A healthy lifestyle can often
prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- People at risk for type 2 diabetes can have the greatest impact on
whether they develop the disease by maintaining a healthy weight,
eating sensibly, and exercising regularly. Many of these lifestyle
changes can also help prevent related conditions, such as heart
disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Both types of diabetes greatly increase a person's risk for a range
of serious conditions. Despite the fact that monitoring and management
of the disease can usually prevent most complications, diabetes remains
the leading cause of blindness and kidney failure. It also continues to
be a critical risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and leg amputations
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