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Types of diabetes
diabetes

Author’s Bio: Saher B. Haider has a Pharmacy degree and is a freelance writer in the health and wellness industry. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a disease that results in the body having high blood sugar levels. In normal people, the hormone insulin released by the pancreas helps your body process and use these sugars (glucose) circulating in your blood. It does so by sending sugar into your cells, where it is processed to produce energy. In diabetes, your body can’t make enough insulin or it can’t use it effectively.

In 2018, diabetes affected about 34.2 million Americans. It was also the seventh leading cause of death in 2017. More so, about 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Uncontrolled diabetes can have serious consequences on your health, affecting your nerves, eyes, heart, kidneys, and several other organs. This is why it is often known as the mother of all diseases.

Following are the different types of diabetes:  
  • Type I diabetes – constitutes 10% of all diabetes types.
  • Type II diabetes – this is the more common type.
  • Prediabetes – Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is higher than usual but not high enough to be diagnosed as type II diabetes. It is more like an early stage of Type II diabetes that can be prevented from proceeding to Type II diabetes with early management.
  • Gestational diabetes: As the name indicates, gestational diabetes happens during gestation, that is, pregnancy.

What causes diabetes?

Each type of diabetes has different causes. Nevertheless, genes and family history have the most prominent role in causing diabetes. Less common causes include genetic mutations, other diseases, damage to insulin-producing pancreatic cells, and the use of certain medications. 

What’s the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

The difference between Type I and Type II diabetes, is based on insulin production and processing. In type I diabetes, the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin are destroyed, and your body cannot produce insulin. Type I diabetes constitutes 10% of all diabetes. People with Type I diabetes need insulin administration to process glucose in their blood.

In Type II diabetes, your body produces enough insulin, but cells in your body become resistant to insulin. As a result, your blood sugar rises despite having insulin in your body.

Type 1 diabetes

How do you get type 1 diabetes?

The exact cause is still unknown, but it almost always results from an autoimmune reaction. Certain cells in your body mistakenly perceive insulin-producing beta cells as foreign antigens and destroy them. People with a strong family history of Type I diabetes are seen to have a higher risk of developing the disease. Scientists also believe that certain infections, too, can trigger the autoimmune reaction in type I diabetes.

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Type 1 diabetes symptoms

Since both Type I and Type II diabetes causes persistently high blood glucose, their symptoms are also similar.

Common symptoms of Type I diabetes are:
  • Extreme hunger as you are always under sugar spike
  • Increased thirst (also known as polydipsia)
  • Frequent urination or polyuria
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Tiredness
  • On and off mood swings

Type 2 diabetes

What causes type 2 diabetes?

Again, the exact cause remains unclear. Scientists believe several factors may have a role in causing type 2 diabetes. However, genetics have a strong role in causing diabetes.

Other risk factors that can cause insulin resistance and increase your chances of having type 2 diabetes are:
  • Aging – the risk of type 2 diabetes increases as you age
  • Obesity
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • A high caloric diet with abundant sugars, fats, and cholesterol

Type 2 diabetes symptoms

In the initial stages, type 2 diabetes symptoms appear similar to those of type 1. These include extreme hunger, increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision, tiredness, itchy skin, and dry mouth. If not managed, type 2 diabetes can take a heavy toll on your health and present with more severe symptoms, including:

  • Recurring infections, including yeast infections
  • Diabetic neuropathy, which causes numbness of extremities, and you can’t feel the pain due to injury or sores
  • Slow healing of injuries, cuts, and sores that may often go unnoticed due to neuropathy
  • Foot pain

Is Type 2 diabetes curable?

For some people, type 2 diabetes can be managed with lifestyle modifications. In other cases, both lifestyle changes and medications are required. Your doctor will best determine how to manage your diabetes and keep your blood glucose controlled.

The medications used to manage type 2 diabetes are known as anti-diabetic medications or oral antidiabetic drugs. At Home Urgent Care provides online consultation and prescription/medication for diabetic care and management.

Commonly prescribed anti-diabetic medications are:  
  • Sulfonylureas – these are the most commonly prescribed anti-diabetic medications. Sulfonylureas include glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, tolazamide.

  • Biguanides – metformin is the most common biguanide that forms one of the best treatment options in type 2 diabetes. These medications increase insulin sensitivity, so your cells can better take up glucose from the blood.
 
  • Meglitinides – includes repaglinide
 
  • Thiazolidinediones – pioglitazone and rosiglitazone
 
  • DPPT inhibitors – sitagliptin, vildagliptin
 
  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors – acarbose, miglitol


Each of the above-mentioned anti-diabetic medications helps your body manage blood sugar differently and comes with its own side effects. Your health care provider will determine which drugs or drug combinations will work best for you. If you are looking for diabetic medication/prescription available online, our doctors can provide online consultation and tailor a customized treatment plan based on your overall health, age, and extent of disease.

Type 2 diabetes diet

Your diet plays a crucial role in managing your diabetes. While your doctor will best determine what treatment plan will work best to manage your sugar levels, here’s a type 2 diabetes diet plan guideline you can follow to achieve better outcomes and keep your glucose well controlled.

Follow a disciplined eating pattern and religiously stick to your diabetic diet plan suggested by your nutritionist.
  • Avoid eating large portions of meals at once. Splitting meals in smaller portions prevents sugar spikes in your blood.
  • Never overeat. Only eat what you are recommended and allowed in one meal at a time.
  • Include caloric-dense foods in your diet so that you get all the required nutrients instead of filling yourself with empty calories
  • Avoid sugary drinks, fruit juices, and sugary processed foods.
  • Avoid too much-processed foods containing white bread.
  • Limit your intake of rice and pasta
  • Steer clear of saturated and trans fats, clarified butter, and margarine
  • High-fat foods such as organ meats, high-fat dairy, and processed meats

How to prevent diabetes?

Prevention is better than cure, especially in diabetes. If you have a strong family history of diabetes, it’s better to keep your sugar in check from an early age.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent diabetes:  
  • Eat a balanced diet. Ensure you are getting all the nutrients from your regular diet
  • Avoid eating too many sugary foods regularly. Eating lots of sugar and refined carbohydrates results in a sugar spike which, increases your chances of having diabetes in the long run.
  • Aim for eating several smaller and healthier meals in a day rather than splurging on one large meal portion at a time
  • Drink plenty of water and eat a fiber-enriched diet
  • Stay active and exercise regularly.

Online Consultation for Diabetes

If you or someone in your family seems to be suffering from diabetes consult our online doctors immediately. Health care providers at our online clinic can evaluate your symptoms and suggest an appropriate treatment online.

At Home Urgent Care provides telemedicine services so you can safely and confidently keep your diabetes in check with our primary and urgent care services. Our online consultation services include physicians with expertise in diabetic treatment and medication. Our doctors can evaluate your symptoms and order the appropriate prescription at your preferred pharmacy.

 Feel free to book an appointment today with our health experts available at your convenience 365 days a year.

Book an Appointment

Online Doctor Appointment - At Home Urgent Care

Step 1

Call or Book your online Doctor Visit

Online Doctor Appointment - At Home Urgent Care

Step 2

Talk to a doctor over the Phone/ Tablet

Online Doctor Appointment - At Home Urgent Care

Step 3

If needed pick up your medication at the pharmacy

Book Appointment

Sources

  1. The U.S National Library of Medicine. “Diabetes.” January 14, 2021.
  2. American Diabetes Association. “Statistics About Diabetes.” January 14, 2021.
  3. Health line. “Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes.” February 26, 2020. January 14, 2021.
  4. Health line. “Diabetes Causes.” October 01, 2019. January 14, 2021.
  5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Symptoms & Causes of Diabetes.” December 2016. January 14, 2021.
  6. Medscape. “Combination Therapy for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Repaglinide in Combination with Metformin.” January 14, 2021.
  7. Medicine Net. “Type 2 Diabetes Diet Plan.” January 14, 2021.