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Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as Diabetes Mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood glucose (blood sugar). Diabetes is due to either the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin or the cells of the body failing to respond properly to the insulin produced. Simply stated, either insulin production in the body is inadequate, or the body does not respond appropriately to the insulin that it already makes (and in some cases, both of these scenarios apply). There are three main types of Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1and Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes is result of the first cause stated; in which the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Historically, this form of Diabetes was previously referred to as "Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus" (IDDM) or "Juvenile Diabetes", and the exact cause of this failure is unknown, but there does appear to be a genetic link. The second branch to Diabetes classification, Type 2 Diabetes, begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. Due to this, a lack of insulin also develops as the disease progresses. This previous term for this type of Diabetes are “Non-Insulin-Dependent diabetes Mellitus" (NIDDM) or "Adult-Onset Diabetes". The primary cause is excessive body weight and not enough exercise, which overworks the pancreas to exhaustion. Gestational Diabetes is the third main form of Diabetes, and occurs when pregnant women (without a previous history of diabetes) develop a high blood-sugar level. In this paper, I will discuss the signs and symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, the measures for control, prevention and treatment, as well as the short and long term complications that develop if diabetes is not well managed.

The Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

The classical symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes include increased thirst, excessive urination (particularly at night), and dry skin and mouth, Nausea, weight loss and the inability to keep down fluids are amongst other more serious symptoms, along with increased hunger/fatigue. In emergency cases, some people may also experience episodes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis – a metabolic disturbance characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, the smell of acetone on the breath, deep breathing (known as Kussmaul breathing), and a decreased level of consciousness (Itabchi, Umpierrez, Miles, Fisher July 2009)

Type 2 Diabetes has many similarities with Type 1 Diabetes. Thus, the excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, and fatigue are among these common symptoms. Blurry visions, sensitivity to scores or cuts (that do not heal for a long time) are also more distinct commonalities (Burant, Young, & American Diabetes Association. 2012). The signs and symptoms of these two branches to diabetes may be identical, but it is their contrasting onsets and forthcoming treatment procedures that make them so distinct. In Type 1 Diabetes, these symptoms develop rapidly (in weeks or mouth); In Type 2 Diabetes, they usually develop more slowly and may be subtle or absent.

Treatments and prevention of Type 1 and 2 Diabetes

All people with type 1 diabetes require treatment in order to keep blood sugar levels within their ideal target range. Since insulin production is entirely absent in Type 1 Diabetes, people with this type should take insulin injections every day on top of monitoring their blood glucose levels. Modern technology has made this process easier and more accurate through the introduction of insulin pumps and automatic blood glucose monitoring systems (However, the well-knowing daily finger-pricking to check blood sugar levels still cannot be avoided). Type 1 Diabetes is not currently preventable, but researchers say it can be prevented at the “latent autoimmune stage” before it gets serious and starts destroying the beta cells. Those with a history of Type 1 Diabetes in their families should be particularly cautious; Regular medical checkups to watch for complications are ideal, such as nerve disease, eye, kidney, and blood vessel problems. A healthy diet and active lifestyle is part of the prevention and treatment plan for all forms of diabetes. It is also recommended to not to smoke and to drink alcohol if you are at risk for periods of low blood sugar level (Hanas, 2009).

Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes includes taking diabetes medicines by mouth, and focusing on healthy food choices. Being physically active, controlling one’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also aspect to treatment (Burant, Young, & American Diabetes Association. 2012). The only ideal way to prevent Type 2 Diabetes is maintaining a healthy weight, eating better and doing physical exercise to keep you active, because moving muscles uses insulin.

The Short and Long-Term Consequences of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

If Type 1 Diabetes is not well controlled, then serious, life –threatening problem can occur. Short-term complication of Diabetes Type 1 Hypoglycemia- that is severely low blood glucose levels that develop when there is too much insulin in the body. The symptoms of this dangerous complication includes blurred vision, confusion, and the eventual loss of complete consciousness. When it comes to long-term complications, the most common for this type of diabetes is microvascular complications. This is damage to the large blood vessels of the heart, brain and leg. Macrovascular complications- damage to the small blood vessels- are also another effect, causing problems in the eyes, kidneys, feet and nerves.(Kalyani, Margolis, & Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2014) Diabetes is linked to the gradual increased sensitivity to almost every region of the body, which provides all the more reason for diabetics to work closely with healthcare providers in managing this disease.

When referring back to Type 2 Diabetes, the short-term complications of this branch does still include hypoglycemia, but also has the notion of Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) to be aware of. The latter complication mentioned is the very opposite of Hypoglycemia; It is when blood glucose levels are too high. Although long-term complications of Diabetes of Type 2 develop gradually, they can eventually be disabling or even life-threatening. Some of the potential complications of diabetes include diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease (nephropathy), diabetic neuropathy, and cardiovascular problems including heart attack, stroke, narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure. Type 2 Diabetes may also increase the risk of Alzheimer's Disease and kidney damage that may often require dialysis or a kidney transplant (Burant, Young, & American Diabetes Association. 2012).

References

Hanas, R. (2009). Type 1 diabetes in children, adolescents and young adults: How to become an expert on your own diabetes. London: Class.

Burant, C. F., Young, L. A., & American Diabetes Association. (2012). Medical management of type 2 diabetes. Alexandria, Va: American Diabetes.

Kalyani, R. R., Margolis, S., & Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2014). Diabetes: Your annual guide to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins.