Treatment for Different Types of Diabetes
When most people think of diabetes they probably assume the treatment is insulin injections; in fact there is different treatment for the different types of diabetes. It is common to think of diabetes as just one condition but there are different types that require different approaches to manage. In this article we will examine the issue of treatment for different types of diabetes. This type of information can be particularly important if you, or somebody you love, have been diagnosed with the condition. Of course, the best advice will always come from the health professionals and not from web articles.
Why there needs to be Treatment for Different Types of Diabetes
In order to understand why there needs to be treatment for different types of diabetes it is important to first consider a bit about the condition. Diabetes is related to the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin. There are two main types of diabetes; insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM) and non insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM). Insulin dependent diabetes is also called type 1 diabetes and in this condition the pancreas is not able to produce any insulin. This condition most often starts off in childhood and this is why it is sometimes referred to as juvenile onset diabetes. IDDM is considered the more serious form of the condition. The body needs insulin to regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
Non insulin dependent diabetes is also called type 2 diabetes. In this condition the pancreas can produce some insulin but not enough for the needs of the body. This means that there is enough insulin to manage some sugar, but just not enough to do the job effectively. Those with type 2 diabetes will usually develop the condition later in life and this is why it is sometimes called adult onset diabetes. In many instances this condition will have been caused by poor lifestyle habits.
The reason why there is a need for treatment for different types of diabetes is that if it is left uncontrolled it can cause a lot of damage to the body. If blood sugars are too high it can damage almost every organ in the body. There is a risk of death with diabetes and people can fall into a coma and die. There is also the risk of mental health problems and the need to amputate limbs; it can also damage eyesight and contribute to kidney damage. As you can see there is good reason why treatment for different types of diabetes is required.
So what is the Treatment for Different Types of Diabetes?
With all types of diabetes there needs to be lifestyle changes; one of the most important of these is a change in diet. Those with type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin for the rest of their life and regularly check their blood sugar levels. Those with type 2 diabetes will usually be put on medications that will likely be oral – of course things can deteriorate and those with type 2 diabetes may later need diabetes.