Diabetes: Causes, Treatment, and Prognosis
Diabetes is found in two forms namely type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a situation where the immune system attacks and destroys pancreases beta cells that produce insulin. (Atkinson & Eisenbarth, 2001). Type 2 diabetes (the most common type) is caused by a number of factors ranging from genetic and lifestyle factors. Some of these include physical inactivity and obesity in which case the extra fat causes insulin resistance. Aside from that, genetic and family history can cause both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (Selvin et al. 2006).
Treatment and Control of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is managed using insulin, as well as exercise and dietary changes (Atkinson & Eisenbarth, 2001). Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is controlled using insulin, non-insulin medications, dietary changes, and weight reduction. (Gæde et al., 2003). Apart from administering medications, patients are also required to carry out some lifestyle adjustments like sticking to diabetic diets, exercising more, and minimizing or avoiding alcohol and tobacco abuse (Buse et al. 2007).
Prognosis …show more content…
Existing statistical prognosis shows that 15% of patients who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes will die before the age of 40. Type 2 diabetes has been found to reduce the life expectancy of a person by 5 to 10 years (Selvin et al. 2006). These statistics have, in fact, improved in the last few decades due to advances in the understanding and control of the
Diabetes is found in two forms namely type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a situation where the immune system attacks and destroys pancreases beta cells that produce insulin. (Atkinson & Eisenbarth, 2001). Type 2 diabetes (the most common type) is caused by a number of factors ranging from genetic and lifestyle factors. Some of these include physical inactivity and obesity in which case the extra fat causes insulin resistance. Aside from that, genetic and family history can cause both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (Selvin et al. 2006).
Treatment and Control of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is managed using insulin, as well as exercise and dietary changes (Atkinson & Eisenbarth, 2001). Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is controlled using insulin, non-insulin medications, dietary changes, and weight reduction. (Gæde et al., 2003). Apart from administering medications, patients are also required to carry out some lifestyle adjustments like sticking to diabetic diets, exercising more, and minimizing or avoiding alcohol and tobacco abuse (Buse et al. 2007).
Prognosis …show more content…
Existing statistical prognosis shows that 15% of patients who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes will die before the age of 40. Type 2 diabetes has been found to reduce the life expectancy of a person by 5 to 10 years (Selvin et al. 2006). These statistics have, in fact, improved in the last few decades due to advances in the understanding and control of the