Living with Diabetes

Type 1 and Type 2
Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune disease which affects the beta cells of the pancreas that produces insulin. This disease was formerly known as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). This disease presents in children, as well as in adults, and is characterized by the loss of the beta cells of the pancreas, which are known as the islets of Langerhans. However, since type 1 diabetes was most commonly associated with children, it was formerly known as juvenile diabetes.

Diabetes is incurable; there is no method of prevention, and no way to reverse the disease. In type 2 diabetes, it can be managed by diet and a healthy lifestyle. In some cases a patient with type 1 diabetes can have a transplant of the islet cells of the pancreas to arrest the disease, but in type 2 diabetes this option is not available, because this from of the disease is not an autoimmune disease.

Signs and Symptoms

The characteristics of this disease presents with excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, and extreme fatigue. These symptoms can be present in both types of diabetes, especially if the patient has poor eating habits and leads a sedentary lifestyle.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually made when patients report their symptoms and complaints to their doctor. In the case of children the parents notice their symptoms and complaints and take the child to their physician to be examined. Diabetes is often discovered when a patient is having other problems that they are seeking help for, such as: poor wound healing, ulcers of the feet, eye problems and fungal infections.

In the diagnostic phase of the examination, the doctor will test the patient's blood glucose level when fasting. A normal fasting blood sugar (FBS) ranges from 70-99 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Diabetes should be suspected if the FBS levels run between 100 mg/dl and 126 mg/dl, which are considered above normal for fasting levels.

Treatment and management