Saturday, 10 March 2012

Different Types of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes – Type 1, Type 2, and gestational Diabetes. The two major ones being Type1 and Type2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, is also known as ‘insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), or ‘juvenile onset diabetes mellitus’. In this form of diabetes the pancreas is affected by a autoimmune attack by the body itself and thereby it is unable to produce insulin on its own. A majority of patients who ail from type1 diabetes have been found to contain abnormal antibodies in their blood stream. These antibodies are proteins that are present in the blood that form a part of the body’s immune system. A patient struck with type1 diabetes must completely rely on insulin medication for his/her survival. Since type1 diabetes is a autoimmune disease, antibodies and inflammatory cells are manufactured by the body’s immune system (mistakenly), these antibodies and inflammatory cells in turn cause damage and harm to a patient’s own body tissue. 

Type2 diabetes is also known as ‘non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or ‘adult onset diabetes mellitus (AODM). As compared to type one diabetes, patients suffering from type2 diabetes can still produce insulin. However, their production of insulin is well below the required mark. In some cases it is noticed that the pancreas generates insulin in larger quantities than required. Type2 diabetes is characterized by a lack of sensitivity to insulin by the fat and muscle cells in particular.

Sometimes, the insulin manufactured by the pancreas in type2 diabetes may be defective. There may be a steady drop in beta cell manufacture of insulin that worsens glucose control. This steady decline in insulin may ultimately result in a patient undergoing insulin therapy.

Type2 diabetes is usually seen in patients above the age of 30. However, in recent times there has been a rapid increase in children (barely in their teens) who are being affected by this disease. Type2 diabetes in today’s world more common than type1 diabetes in children, which was unheard off in the past. This recent unprecedented change in trend is mainly attributed to increase in one’s body weight, unhealthy eating habits and lack of regular exercise.

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