Two Types of Diabetes
What Is Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus( or“ diabetes” as it’ s commonly known) is a metabolic disorder linked with elevated blood glucose. Normally, when we eat foods containing carbohydrates, we absorb glucose from the stomach. The increase in glucose triggers the islet cells in the pancreas to put out a hormone known as insulin. Insulin binds to cells in the body allowing the cells to take up the glucose to use as fuel for cells.
Without insulin production or with insulin resistance, glucose cannot get into the cells, which do not get enough nutrients and the sugar( glucose) in the bloodstream elevates, damaging organs and blood vessels. This is when diabetes occurs.
Two Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes, is considered an autoimmune disease where the body makes antibodies that destroy the islet cells of the pancreas, leading to very low insulin levels and extremely high blood sugar( glucose) levels. Once the death of the islet cells occurs, the process is irreversible. The patient’ s only recourse is to take shots of short, medium, and / or long acting insulin to make up for the insulin the body doesn’ t make. Type 1 diabetes is often referred to as insulin dependent.
Type 2 Diabetes. With this type of diabetes, the individual makes enough insulin; however, the cells become resistant to it and even with elevated insulin levels, not enough glucose enters the cells. The blood sugar rises and causes the same complications as type 1 diabetes. Fortunately, this type of diabetes can be treated with medication, healthy lifestyle choices, and other natural therapies. Type 2 diabetes, unlike type 1 can be reversed, with weight loss and healthy diet.
Type 2 Diabetes © Prevention- Control- Cure Page 1