07/09/2018
With our upcoming diabetic clinic with Alana Mack on July 24 we thought we would share a little bit of basic information regarding Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
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Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. The causes and management of these two types of diabetes are very different.
*** Causes of diabetes ***
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. It happens when the body’s immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the pancreas can no longer produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune disorder. There are two reasons why type 2 diabetes occurs: 1) the body still makes insulin, but can’t use it properly (this is called insulin resistance); and 2) insulin production in the pancreas decreases (this is called insulin deficiency).
In Canada, over 3,000,000 people have diabetes. Of these, about 90% have type 2 diabetes.
*** Age at diagnosis ***
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. While it has been diagnosed in people who are over 40 years old, this is very rare.
Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in adulthood, usually in people over 40 years of age. However, due to the increasing numbers of overweight and obese people around the world, type 2 diabetes is now being diagnosed in adolescents and young adults.
*** Time of onset ***
Type 1 diabetes happens very quickly. The time between when the pancreas stops producing insulin and the start of dangerous symptoms is quite short (generally just a few weeks or a month).
Type 2 diabetes may not happen as suddenly as type 1 diabetes. In fact, a person may have type 2 diabetes and not notice any symptoms for many years.
In many diseases – including diabetes – patients and clinicians alike refer to “signs and symptoms.” But exactly what are they, and are there differences between the two?
*** Symptoms ***
Generally, the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are very similar. They include:
•Unusual thirst
•Frequent urination
•Weight change (gain or loss)
•Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
•Blurry vision
However, there are some symptoms that are associated only with type 2 diabetes, which are:
•Having frequent infections
•Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
*** Treatment ***
People with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin using an insulin pen, syringe or insulin pump. When taken in conjunction with a healthy diet, an exercise program and regular blood glucose monitoring, people with type 1 diabetes can reach their diabetes management goals and live well.
Insulin that is injected into the body is a replacement or supplement to your body’s natural insulin, and is used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Treatment of type 2 diabetes also begins with proper nutrition, exercise and blood glucose monitoring, but usually starts with oral medication, but in some instances may include insulin. Over time, the person with type 2 diabetes may use more than one oral medication and may also start taking insulin or other injectable medications.
If you would like to book an appointment with Alana for our Diabetic Clinic, please feel free to give us a call at 705-232-6625
