Diabetes is
a condition marked by blood glucose levels that are too high, but there are different
and distinctive types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is
usually diagnosed in youth, and in this form the beta cells of
the pancreas cease making insulin because the body's immune system
has destroyed them. Type 2 diabetes is the more
common form of the disease, can develop at any age, and in this
form insulin resistance builds until the pancreas loses the ability
to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. Gestational
diabetes is also developed by some women during the late stages of pregnancy,
though this form of the disease often goes away after birth.
An
estimated 17 million people in the U.S. (6.2 %
of the population) have some form of diabetes, and ~1.3
million new cases were diagnosed in 2002. As many as 5.9
million of the estimated population with diabetes are undiagnosed,
because patients can often "get by" with their initial symptoms
and don't visit a doctor until a serious problem develops.
Common
Causes:
Type 1 diabetes occurs when an unknown environmental factor causes the immune
system to mistakenly attack the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes appears to be caused
by multiple factors, including:
- Genetic
factors (family history of type 2 diabetes).
- Poor
lifestyle (obesity, smoking, alcohol and/or drug use).
- High
blood pressure.
Common
Symptoms:
Symptoms of all types of diabetes are similar, and include:
- Increased
thirst.
- Increased
hunger (particularly after having just eaten).
- Dry
mouth.
- General
nausea and occassional vomiting.
- Frequent
urination.
- Fatigue.
- Blurred
vision.
- Heavy
and/or labored breathing.
- Frequent
skin infections.
Type
1 cases may experience more severe symptoms in emergency cases,
including:
- Abdominal
pain.
- Rapid
breathing.
- Unexplained
weight loss.
- Fruity
smelling breath.
- Shaking
and confusion.
Common
Treatments:
Diabetes is treated by carefully managing blood glucose levels, which
usually involves some combination of the following:
- Meal
planning.
- Exercise.
- Medications
(for type 2 cases).
- Insulin
therapy (extensive injections in type 1 cases).
- Careful
monitoring, such as through the MedStar (of
blood glucose levels).
There
is no cure for diabetes, and unmanaged diabetes often
leads to serious damage to the body (in eyes, kidneys, nerves,
gums, and the heart over time). As such, the focus of treatment
is to carefully manage blood glucose levels to relieve symptoms
and prevent progressive damage caused by the disease.
The MedStar can
monitor blood glucose, blood pressure,
and weight levels -- and provide data reports
on a daily basis. It is an ideal low-cost tool to monitor and
help control diabetes.
