Diabetes Types
Type 1
In type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce any insulin. This means that the body is totally dependent on the insulin supplied from outside sources. That is why it is called Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile onset-diabetes mellitus.
What is the cause of type 1- IDDM?
In this case your immune system attacks the pancreas and destroys the cells needed to make insulin. This condition is called autoimmune reaction, as your body attacks itself. This results in no insulin or very low insulin production, making the body completely depend on insulin medication for survival.
It’s called juvenile onset-diabetes mellitus, since it hits the young, lean people of age below 30 years. Just a 10% suffer from type 1 and 90 % suffer from type 2 of all the diabetic population.
Type 1 diabetes may be caused by exposure to certain infections- viral or bacterial; chemical toxins in food/environment; or unidentified elements causing autoimmune reaction. Some of the anti-bodies detected in type 1 are1. Anti-islet cell antibodies2. Anti-insulin antibodies3. Anti-glutamic decarboxylase antibodies
They can be identified in the individuals, suffering from type 1 diabetes, and can be treated. It could also be hereditary or genetic and the individual can be a carrier of genes related to type 1 diabetes.
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes, also popularly known as NIDDM- non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or adult -onset diabetes mellitus (AODM). In this type the body can produce insulin, but-1. It is not enough for the body, hence need to take from external sources2. Lack of sensitivity to insulin; meaning the insulin is not effectively working on cells, specially the fat and muscle cells.
This results in high glucose level in blood, which is controlled by medicines and insulin.
What are the causes of type 2 diabetes?1. Hereditary
One of the most common cause of diabetes. If you have a parent with diabetes, you are likely to be diabetic. So, if it runs in your family, plan and adopt a healthy lifestyle to avoid it.2. Obesity
Obese does not always mean unhealthy, but it can trigger diabetes. Replace complex food with simple food, to help your body overcome hunger pangs and keep you full for longer hours.3. Poor dietary habits.
Where do we and our children eat? Near the T.V; when you eat in front of the T.V. your mind does not register the intake of food, and you tend to over eat. You don’t chew your food properly and just gobble down, creating a mess in your stomach.
What you consume? All, ready to eat white foods, Fried and high sugar foods, which is good for your taste buds than your stomach.4. Sedentary lifestyle
As you grow older, your lifestyle changes. You no longer make more physical effort, but the food habits do not change. We consume more than we release or use. This causes extra deposit of glucose in the body. You need to burn that glucose. Forget the age and keep your self on toes. Try changing, shifting, don’t stay at one place for too long. Moving will keep your body active. Take some exercise or yoga.
Tests for Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes• The haemoglobin A1c test
It’s a simple blood test called glycosylated haemoglobin in medical term. Blood is drawn from a vial from your arm. This test detects your average blood sugar level for the past 3 months. This test does not require fasting. If the result is which is measured in percentage is-
Less than 5.7 %, it is normal
Between 5.7% – 6.4 %, you could be prediabetic.
Equal to or greater than 6.5% indicates you are diabetic.Random Blood sugar test
The blood test is conducted at any time of the day regardless of the time you ate last. If the result shows blood sugar level higher than 11.1 millimoles per litre, then it suggests that you have diabetes.Fasting blood sugar test
As the name suggest, blood test is done after an overnight fast. If the Fasting blood sugar level is less than 100mg/dL, you are normal. if the fasting blood sugar level is between 100-125 mg/dL, then you may be prediabetic. However, if your blood sugar level is 126mg/dL or higher, then you have diabetes.
The test is conducted to see the amount of glucose in blood against the normal figures. As per the result the medication is prescribed, to normalise the glucose level in blood.Oral glucose tolerance test
This is the next step of fasting blood sugar. You are asked to eat and drink sugary foods. The blood sugar is tested after two hours of consuming food. If the blood sugar level is less than 140mg/dL then you are normal. Between 140- 199 mg/dL- prediabetic, and more than 200mg/dL diabetic.
This test is done to know the functioning of insulin, and how much sugar it can handle/tolerate. As per the result you may be administered medication and diet.Urine test
In case of type 1 diabetes urine test is also conducted to observe the by-products released by the body.
A little effort can save you and your life. Are you ready to take the challenge?
