Diabetes is a growing health concern in North America and around the world, yet many people do not understand basic information about the disease. Knowing the differences between the various types of the disease, their risk factors, and how to recognize symptoms is an essential part of managing life with the disease and, in the case of type 2 diabetes, working to prevent it before it begins.
Types of Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes, the most prevalent by far being type 2 diabetes. In fact, the Canadian Diabetes Association states that 90 per cent of Canadian diabetes cases fall under the type 2 diabetes category.
Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes) occurs when a person’s pancreas is unable to produce insulin, the hormone needed to control the level of glucose (sugar) in a person’s blood. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable and the cause remains unknown. The vast majority of people suffering from type 1 diabetes are diagnosed early in life, usually in childhood or early adolescence.
Type 2 diabetes results when a person’s pancreas is either unable to produce insulin or their body is unable to use it. This causes glucose to build up in the person’s blood stream. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common type of diabetes and, unlike type 1, it usually develops in adulthood, although a growing number of children are at risk or have been diagnosed with the disease.
Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that can occur during pregnancy. In fact, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes affects about two to four per cent of pregnant women. If a woman develops gestational diabetes during pregnancy, it can increase the risk that either she or her child will develop diabetes later on.
Diagnosing Diabetes
Being familiar with diabetes symptoms is an important part of diagnosing diabetes, especially for individuals who may be at a greater risk of developing the disease. Risk factors for diabetes can vary depending on the type of the disease. For example, because people who suffer from type 1 diabetes are born with the disease, the risk factors differ from type 2 diabetes, which can be developed over time.
Risk factors that may increase a person’s chance of developing type 2 diabetes include age (over 45), a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, obesity, and a lack of exercise. Some racial and ethnic groups are also more at risk than others.
Common diabetes symptoms include frequent urination, extreme thirst, a change in weight, and/or a lack of energy/increased fatigue. Blurred vision, a tingling sensation in the hands and feet, recurring infections and a slowness or inability to heal cuts and bruises are also signs that a person may have diabetes, and should consult their physician, however, both the American and Canadian Diabetes Associations note that individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms of the disease prior to diagnosis.
Treating Diabetes
Without treatment, diabetes can lead to a number of health complications, including heart, kidney and eye disease, impotence and nerve damage. According to the American Diabetes Association, some form of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes) affects about half of all diabetes sufferers.
At present, there is no known cure for diabetes, but it can be managed, enabling many individuals with diabetes to live long and active lives. One of the biggest keys to treating diabetes is monitoring what and when a person eats in order to regulate their blood glucose levels. Similarly, regular exercise lowers blood glucose levels, while also helping a person to maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress – two other important components of treating diabetes.
Individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are treated with insulin to assist their bodies in regulating their blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes patients may be able to control their disease through physical activity and nutrition management, but insulin treatments may also be required.
Trilby Henderson - After completing a BA in Journalism at the University of Regina, one of Canada's leading journalism schools, I spent several years working ...
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