There are three principal types of diabetes. The first is called Type 1. In this kind, the body fails to produce enough insulin. Statistics show that 5 to 10% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes usually have Type 1. Usually, they need to inject themselves with insulin. On the other hand, those who are resistant, unable to use insulin properly or does not have enough suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Most Americans are diagnosed with this type. A lot of people who are destined to have Type 2 diabetes usually stay in the "pre-diabetes state" for a long time. This means that they have high glucose levels but not high enough to be considered Type 2. There are 57 million Americans who are in the pre-diabetes state as of 2009. The third type is called gestational diabetes. This is a condition usually experienced by pregnant woman who never had diabetes but have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It usually affects 4% of all pregnant women. It can become a precedent to the development of Type 2 or rarely, Type 1 diabetes.
Since the availability of insulin in 1921, diabetes has been treatable. However, there is still no cure for the common types apart from a pancreas transplant. Gestational diabetes is an exception to this since it is usually resolved after delivery. There can be complications due to diabetes and its treatments. One acute complication is hypoglycemia wherein the glucose in the blood is lower than normal. This can cause seizures, unconsciousness, sometimes brain damage or even death. Long-term effects like chronic heart failure or cardiovascular disease or retinal damage that can lead to blindness and some types of nerve damage are just some complications of diabetes. There are cases wherein wounds, especially on the feet, heal poorly. This can lead to gangrene and requires amputation of the limb. This is why you need to lean how to care for diabetic feet. So be sure to consult your doctor to manage diabetes properly.
Tags: diabetes, type 2, insulin, blood sugar