Diabetes and Drug Treatments
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes type 1 can also be referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes. Initially it was referred to as juvenile-onset diabetes because, in most cases it often begun among children. Diabetes type 1 is an auto-immune disorder that causes a person’s immune system to attack and destroy cells responsible for insulin production in the pancreas (Kahanovitz, Sluss & Russell, 2017). People with type 2 diabetes can produce their own insulin but their bodies do not use the insulin very well (Wu, Ding, Tanaka & Zhang, 2014). Their bodies do not effectively use insulin as is required. Additionally, symptoms in type 1 diabetes appear more quickly compared to the type 2 symptoms, which manifest gradually. Gestational diabetes on the other hand is characterized by the temporary presence of high blood sugar, and only occurs during pregnancy. Medical specialists have attributed this kind of diabetes to hormonal changes.
Treatment for Diabetes Type 1
Diabetes Type 1 is mainly treated with insulin. People with diabetes type 1 are required to check their blood glucose regularly to make choices on the amount of food, exercise, and insulin they should take. A home glucose monitor is used to monitor the blood glucose and Insulin is administered with a syringe whenever the glucose levels are low. Patients are also encouraged to take a diet that includes carbohydrates, vegetables, legumes, low-fat milk and to stay away from sweetened beverages.
Short- and Long-Term Impacts of Type 1 Diabetics
Short term complications of type 1 diabetes include diabetic foot ulcers, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, peripheral artery disease and ketoacidosis. On the other hand, long term implications include heart disease, stroke, and diabetic diseases of the kidney, nerves, and the eyes. Ac According to previous research studies, prolonged use of insulin increases the risk of hypoglycemia, and mortality risk. It also exposes patients to the risk of specific cancers (Lebovitz, 2011).
