Crucial Differences Between the Types of Diabetes
Contrary to popular belief, diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all disease. Since the risk factors, symptoms and treatments can vary greatly between Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational diabetes, we think this blog may help you better understand the basic differences.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes, as its name implies, affects only pregnant women, usually presenting around the 24th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes [JL1] affects both mother and baby, and is diagnosed in as many as 9% of pregnancies .
Type 1 Diabetes
Usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and previously known as juvenile diabetes, Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Without these cells, sugar from the food a person eats cannot be moved out of the blood and begins to build up. When sugar builds up in the blood instead of in the body's cells, the cells begin to starve for nutrients, causing other systems in the body to work to provide energy to keep the body functioning. According to the American Diabetes Association, only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:
Increased thirst
Increased hunger
Dry mouth
Nausea with occasional vomiting
Abdominal pain
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss, even though you eat and feel hungry
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract, or vagina
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, affecting 90-95% of the people with diabetes. Unlike people with Type 1, those with type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, their pancreas either does not produce enough or the body cannot properly use the insulin that is made. This also causes sugar to build up in the blood as opposed to providing nutrients to the body's cells.
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:
Increased thirst
Increased hunger
Dry mouth
Nausea with occasional vomiting
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss, even though you eat and feel hungry
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract, or vagina
Diabetes management can be complicated, especially for older adults with co-existing conditions, such as problems with diabetic ulcers on the feet. Partnering with a professional senior in-home care agency, like AAging Better In-Home Care, can greatly reduce the stress and frustrations surrounding diabetes care, providing as much or as little assistance as needed at home to help better manage your activities of daily living. We begin all services by creating a personalized plan of care, and update the plan on an ongoing basis as individual needs change. In this way, we know exactly what services are needed or desired by our clients and can help keep a close eye on the developing disease. We welcome you to contact us at 866-464-2344 to learn more.
