Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Our body gets its main source of energy from glucose, which is converted from the food we eat. The main regulator in this process is insulin, which is secreted into the bloodstream by specialized cells in the pancreas. When insulin is produced in insufficient amounts, or when there is enough insulin but it is not effective at the cellular level for various reasons (that is, insulin resistance), glucose that cannot enter the cells is excreted in the urine. For this reason, diabetes is a metabolic disease.
Diabetes can be caused by genetic syndromes, chemicals, medications, malnutrition, infections and other diseases.
Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin-Dependent)
It is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells and either stops insulin production completely or causes insufficient production. Patients with type 1 diabetes must use insulin every day to stay alive.
Type 2 Diabetes (Non-Insulin-Dependent)
It develops when insulin is either not produced in sufficient amounts or cannot be used properly. It can be controlled with diet, exercise and weight loss, or oral medication or insulin injections may be required.
Pregnancy Diabetes (Gestational Diabetes)
In women with no previous diagnosis of diabetes, blood sugar may rise during pregnancy and the clinical picture of diabetes may develop. It usually returns to normal after delivery.
What Is Prediabetes? (Hidden Diabetes)
These are people whose blood sugar level is higher than normal but who have not yet developed the other clinical signs of diabetes. Most of them may progress to type 2 diabetes within the next 10 years. These people also have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. It can be reversed or delayed with weight loss and physical activity.
Diabetes with Onset in Adolescence
- Caused by a single gene mutation,
- Appearing in adolescence or before the age of 25,
- In its mild forms, mild hyperglycemia can be controlled with diet and exercise,
- In its severe forms, insulin treatment may be required,
- It is a clinical picture that accounts for 1–5% of all diabetes cases.
Type 1 Diabetes
Because the pancreas cannot produce insulin due to autoimmune causes, lifelong insulin treatment is required.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes?
- Headache,
- Increased thirst,
- Increased appetite,
- Weight loss despite increased appetite,
- Blurred vision,
- Dry mouth,
- Tiredness and fatigue
Although type 1 diabetes can develop over years, its onset can sometimes be very sudden and rapid. In children, if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, diabetic coma (diabetic ketoacidosis) can develop quickly.
How Is Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed?
It is diagnosed by measuring blood sugar. In cases of prediabetes or hidden diabetes, fasting blood sugar levels may not initially be high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes, but they are seen to rise progressively.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Type 1 Diabetes?
- Daily insulin injections
- Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes
- Frequent blood sugar monitoring
- With regular physical examinations, diabetes and its possible complications in the eyes, kidneys, cardiovascular system and nervous system can be detected early, and with the necessary precautions and treatments, quality of life and life expectancy can be brought to normal levels.
At İzmir Özel Can Hastanesi and Salihli Özel Can Hastanesi, part of the Can Sağlık group, accurate diagnosis and treatment are provided through the joint evaluation of our Endocrinology and Pediatrics physicians.
The information on our website is not intended to direct individuals to any treatment. Do not take any diagnostic or treatment steps without consulting your doctor. The content does not contain information about İzmir Can Hastanesi's therapeutic healthcare services.
