Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes, also known as Diabetes mellitus, is a type of is an autoimmune disease. It is a medical condition wherein the pancreas does not produce enough insulin the body needs or the cells do not respond to the insulin that the body produces. The cause of this is not known. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease and people with this type of disease need to monitor their bodies and diets. If not properly cared for, it could cause serious health complications and could be considered degenerative if proper treatment is not given. Some of the complications diabetes could cause are blindness, failure of the kidneys, heart complications, and in some cases, stroke.
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus could be a complex condition and this disease has several types.
Type 1 Diabetes
This type is known as the insulin-dependent type of diabetes. In this type of diabetes, the body’s own immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, as a result, the pancreas produces very little or no insulin. Insulin is an essential hormone produced by the pancreas which the body needs in order to convert energy from food. This type of diabetes could affect people at any age but in many cases it occurs to young people and children. It is also known as juvenile-onset diabetes. The cause for this autoimmune reaction is not yet fully understood but scientists’ studies show that environmental triggers and genetic factors are both involved.
People with type 1 diabetes need to live with it and take care of their bodies through healthy living and healthy lifestyle. Because this could be life-threatening as episodes of low blood sugar or high blood sugar could happen anytime, they would also need to carry their injected or pumped insulin wherever they go.
Type 1 Diabetes
This type is known as the insulin-dependent type of diabetes. In this type of diabetes, the body’s own immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, as a result, the pancreas produces very little or no insulin. Insulin is an essential hormone produced by the pancreas which the body needs in order to convert energy from food. This type of diabetes could affect people at any age but in many cases it occurs to young people and children. It is also known as juvenile-onset diabetes. The cause for this autoimmune reaction is not yet fully understood but scientists’ studies show that environmental triggers and genetic factors are both involved.
People with type 1 diabetes need to live with it and take care of their bodies through healthy living and healthy lifestyle. Because this could be life-threatening as episodes of low blood sugar or high blood sugar could happen anytime, they would also need to carry their injected or pumped insulin wherever they go.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
This type is the non-insulin type of diabetes. It is adult-onset which means it occurs to adults. This is the most common diabetes type and is also known as the late-onset diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the insulin it produces. Although genetics play a role as a high risk factor in type 2 diabetes, it could also be triggered by lifestyle factors like excess weight, unhealthy eating habits, high blood pressure and sedentary lifestyle. The onset of type 2 diabetes could remain unnoticed and undiagnosed until manifestations of the symptoms are experienced.
This type is the non-insulin type of diabetes. It is adult-onset which means it occurs to adults. This is the most common diabetes type and is also known as the late-onset diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the insulin it produces. Although genetics play a role as a high risk factor in type 2 diabetes, it could also be triggered by lifestyle factors like excess weight, unhealthy eating habits, high blood pressure and sedentary lifestyle. The onset of type 2 diabetes could remain unnoticed and undiagnosed until manifestations of the symptoms are experienced.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is the type of diabetes that affects women in their pregnancy and is also known as carbohydrate intolerance. It usually appears during the third trimester of the pregnancy. Gestational diabetes normally disappears after the woman gives birth. However, in gestational diabetes, women and their children have higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes later on. About fifty percent of women with gestational diabetes history develop type 2 diabetes later on in their lives. Women who are older particularly those above 35 have higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or has high risk factors of developing diabetes mellitus should make a lifestyle change. Healthy living, healthy eating habits, regular exercise, regular monitoring of the blood sugar and other indicators should be done. All these could help one live and stay healthy even if he or she has diabetes mellitus.
Gestational diabetes is the type of diabetes that affects women in their pregnancy and is also known as carbohydrate intolerance. It usually appears during the third trimester of the pregnancy. Gestational diabetes normally disappears after the woman gives birth. However, in gestational diabetes, women and their children have higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes later on. About fifty percent of women with gestational diabetes history develop type 2 diabetes later on in their lives. Women who are older particularly those above 35 have higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or has high risk factors of developing diabetes mellitus should make a lifestyle change. Healthy living, healthy eating habits, regular exercise, regular monitoring of the blood sugar and other indicators should be done. All these could help one live and stay healthy even if he or she has diabetes mellitus.