We hear the terms Type I and Type II Diabetes a great deal, but what do they mean? Firstly, as defined in the previous article-Diabetes is a malfunction in the body’s ability to convert carbohydrates (sweet and starchy foods such as fruit, bread and vegetables) into energy to power the body.In a normal body, carbohydrates are converted to glucose and other simple sugars in the stomach and small intestine, which circulate in the blood through the body and goes to the liver, muscle and fat cells, either to be stored for later use or to be used immediately as energy. In a person with Diabetes this process is interrupted and the glucose is unable to enter the cells. This process relies on a hormone called insulin which is produced by the pancreas – a six inch long gland located behind the stomach.
So to distinguish between Types I and II – people with Type I Diabetes do not make any insulin so they must have insulin by injection to live. This form is caused when insulin producing beta-cells in the pancreas are mistakenly destroyed by the immune system.
Type II-which is the most common type of Diabetes and accounts for about ninety-percent of cases, occurs when the body becomes resistant to its own insulin, which means it has to produce more. Over time the pancreas may just wear out, which is why it takes time to detect Type II Diabetes – it happens gradually. As time passes, about forty percent of people with Type II Diabetes need insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.

Answers to questions on Diabetes
Peoples Medical Society: Pennsylvania in 1997 defines four other types of glucose abnormalities, some of which are though technically not Diabetes, signal that Diabetes is developing. These are: Secondary Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Increased Risk of Diabetes.
SECONDARY DIABETES is used to describe a host of other conditions which can give rise to Diabetes, such as pancreatic diseases (especially chronic pancreatitis in alcoholics), hormonal abnormalities, and insulin receptor disorders, drug or chemical induced Diabetes and certain genetic syndromes.
Certain prescription drugs-including glucocorticoids (used as anti-imflamatories); furosemide (a diuretic used in blood pressure control); thiazide diuretics (used in blood pressure control); and estrogen containing products such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES is any type of Diabetes that is first recognised during pregnancy. It develops because of the distinct hormonal environment and metabolic demands of pregnancy. In ninety-five percent of cases, the Diabetes disappears after birth. For some women though the Diabetes remains and once a woman had had gestational Diabetes, she’s at risk for developing another form of Diabetes (usually Type II).
IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as Diabetes. The impairment is indicted by a fasting blood glucose reading between 115 and 140/mg/dl. Symptoms of Diabetes are generally absent.
Doctors don’t consider this a true form of Diabetes, but instead an abnormality in glucose levels – something between normal and “overt Diabetes”. A person with this condition may improve so that blood sugar levels become normal, or may remained unchanged. About a quarter will go on to develop Diabetes, usually Type II.
INCREASED RISK OF DIABETES is not a category of Diabetes but persons in this group may be at increased risk of developing Diabetes one day. This group normally includes two categories: The first refers to people with previous abnormality of glucose tolerance. These people have no sign of abnormal glucose metabolism, but the experienced a period of impaired glucose tolerance or high blood sugar in the past. Women who have had gestational diabetes are also placed in this group.
The second category is called potential abnormality of glucose. People who have a close relative with Type I Diabetes or persons with islet cell anti-bodies are part of this group.
Each day, millions of diabetics walk a tightrope between too little sugar in the bloodstream and too much. Too much can result in weakness, fatigue, excessive thirst, laboured breathing and loss of consciousness. Too little and the diabetics may be overcome by dizziness, fatigue, headache, sweating, trembling and in severe cases loss of consciousness.
Left untreated, the picture is bleak: Blindness and kidney disease, blood vessel damage, infection, heart disease, nerve damage, high blood pressure, stroke, limb amputation and coma may result. So learn to recognise the symptoms of Diabetes and seek medical advice. (See box at end of article with early warning signs)

Early Warning Signs

Some of the early warning signs of Type I Diabetes are:

Frequent urination accompanied by unusual thirst
Extreme Hunger
Rapid weight loss with easy tiring and fatigue
Irritability, nausea and vomiting

Some of the early warning signs for Type II Diabetes are:

Frequent urination accompanied by unusual thirst
Blurred vision or any change in sight
Tingling or numbness in legs, feet and fingers
Frequent skin infection or itchy skin
Slow healing of cuts and bruises
Drowsiness
Vaginitis in women
Erectile dysfunction in men

Sources:

1. Diabetes Questions you have… Answers you need. Published by: Peoples Medical Society: Pennsylvania in 1997.

2. 1,001 tips for living well with Diabetes. Published by: American Diabetes Association: Virginia, 2004.

3. The Home Remedies Handbook: Over 1000 ways to heal yourself. With John Renner, M.D and the Consumer Health Research Institute. Illinois: Publication International Ltd, 1993.

Written By Michelle Gonsalves