Diabetes is a multifactorial chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels) sustained over time due to insufficient or no insulin production by the pancreas or resistance to the action of the hormone at the peripheral, which leads to dysfunction in the metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates.
There are multiple types of diabetes, however, two major groups are known: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. Which have basic differences such as the age of onset, the mechanism of production and even its treatment and prevention. There are other types such as gestational diabetes (associated with pregnancy), diabetes due to genetic disorders, diabetes insipidus, pancreatic injury, among others.
The differences between Type 1 and Type 2 basically consist of the following characteristics:
| Type 1 Diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes. |
|---|---|
| Appears in childhood and adolescence | Appears in adulthood |
| Absolute Insulin Deficit | Resistance to the action of insulin in peripheral tissues |
| Associated with genetic factors | Unchained by risk factors (obesity, diet high in sugars and fats, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, etc.) |
| Insulin treatment | Treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin |
| It is not preventable | It is preventable |
Clinically, it presents a characteristic triad: polyuria (abnormal increase in daily urinary volume), polydipsia (insatiable and permanent thirst), polyphagia (feeling of excessive hunger); and this was associated with a fourth sign weight loss.
It is not a pathology to take lightly, in the long term it produces micro and macro vascular lesions and generates a wide range of complications that put life at risk. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults of productive age worldwide, increases 10 times the risk of suffering a brain or cardiovascular event (infarction or stroke), represents one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease and progress to hemodialysis and is the first cause of non-traumatic amputation of lower limbs.
It is considered the pandemic of the current century, given that according to WHO, there are approximately 422 million people with this disease and it is estimated that it will continue to increase exponentially; by 2016, diabetes caused 1.6 million deaths worldwide, and it is expected that by 2030 it will be the 7th cause of death worldwide.
As I mentioned earlier, Type 1 Diabetes has no way of being prevented and therefore strict control of diet, blood sugar levels, and insulin use must be maintained. However, Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented, and among the measures we can choose to avoid it are:
- Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
- Perform at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity regular activity 3 days a week.
- Maintain a healthy diet that avoids excessive consumption of sugar and saturated fats.
- Avoid tobacco use, since it increases the risk of suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
I hope the post is useful, and can guide you in the care of this disease more and more frequent and thus avoid the development or evolution of it. In case of presenting suggestive symptoms, go immediately to your doctor to start the discard.
