According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, approximately 34.2 million people in the United States have diabetes. This chronic health condition is the seventh leading cause of death in the country, yet one out of five people do not even know that they have diabetes.
Read on to learn more about the two main types of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) and how Dr. Mildred J. Santorufo at Dr. Milli’s Medical Wellness Center can help you.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the islet/s of Langerhans, the part of the pancreas responsible for producing insulin—a hormone that allows cells to use glucose (sugar) obtained from food and generate energy.
Genetics and exposure to viruses and other environmental factors are the known possible causes of type 1 diabetes, yet the exact cause is still unknown. People of all ages can have diabetes, but there are two age ranges in which it appears most frequently. The first is during childhood, between four and seven years old. The second is between the ages of ten and fourteen.
Symptoms
You should pay close attention to symptoms of type 1 diabetes, as they usually develop quickly. Once there is enough damage to the beta cells of the pancreas, signs start to appear in a few weeks or months. It is still crucial to look out for signs of elevated sugar even after diagnosis.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes:
- Blurred vision
- Dry skin
- Extreme thirst and hunger
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Mood changes
- Slow wound healing
- Unexpected weight loss
- Vaginal infections
Health Complications
Type 1 diabetes may lead to several complications in your body. Diabetes puts a person at risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the hardening of the arteries. You may also develop high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or coronary artery disease (CAD).
Diabetes can also cause damage to your nerves: high glucose levels can injure your capillaries. Consequently, damage to the nerves in your legs can cause numbness, pain, or burning sensation in your toes. This complication is called the diabetic foot.
The kidneys are responsible for filtering wastes from the blood. When your diabetes is unmanaged, it can wreak havoc on the blood vessel clusters in your kidneys, which are responsible for filtering waste from your blood. Damage to these blood vessel clusters can lead to kidney disease.
People with type 1 diabetes are also at risk of eye damage and blindness. Moreover, if you have type 1 diabetes, you are also more prone to skin and mouth infections.
Treatment
Dr. Santorufo will typically have you undergo a blood test to confirm a diagnosis.
Undergoing lifelong insulin therapy is one way to control type 1 diabetes. Insulin is responsible for decreasing sugar in your bloodstream. You may take it through injections or an insulin pump.
Dr. Santorufo will advise that you constantly monitor your blood sugar and carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake. She will also make specific lifestyle recommendations to help you effectively control your condition.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, although more common in adults, can also occur in younger people, mainly as a result of obesity. The cause of type 2 diabetes is also unknown, but experts believe it occurs when cells in the fats, muscles, and liver become insulin-resistant, thereby unable to interact properly with insulin; and when the pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin to manage glucose levels in the body.
Symptoms
Unlike type 1 diabetes, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. People with type 2 diabetes often do not experience symptoms at its onset. Thus, many people are not even aware that they have it.
Nonetheless, the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar:
- Darkening of skin, especially the neck and armpits
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Extreme thirst and hunger
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Loss or blurring of vision
- Numbness of feet
- Slow healing of cuts and sores
- Unexpected weight loss or gain
Health Complications
Like type 1, type 2 diabetes causes major organ damage, putting you at an increased risk of developing heart, kidney, eye, and skin diseases.
Furthermore, type 2 diabetes can cause increased susceptibility to hearing problems and sleep apnea. People with type 2 diabetes also have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders linked to dementia.
Treatment
A healthy diet is a crucial component of type 2 diabetes management. Although there is no specific diabetes diet, eating foods rich in fiber, like non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may help. Limit your intake of refined grains and carbohydrates.
As obesity is the main factor in the development of diabetes, losing weight is an excellent way to control this condition. Exercise regularly and monitor your blood sugar as well.
Dr. Santorufo will also prescribe diabetes medication or insulin therapy.
Diabetes Management in Kennesaw, GA
