Diabetes is a chronic disease that is characterized by high blood sugar and, according to 2007 information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, it affects close to 24 million people in the United States, of which approximately 18 million have been diagnosed. As such, it is among the leading causes of disability and death, and costs over $174 billion to treat each year. There are three types of diabetes with similar and some unique symptoms.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type I diabetes usually occurs in childhood, and is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produces insulin, a hormone that transports sugar from the blood into the cells. Type 1 diabetics must inject insulin to reduce blood sugar levels and get the sugar into the body's cells for energy. Excess sugar intake in type 1 diabetics can cause the body to burn fat instead of sugar for energy. As a result, chemicals called ketones build up in the blood and urine with an array of symptoms that first include dry mouth, unusual thirst and frequent urination, followed by fruity smelling breath, fatigue, short breaths, nausea and confusion, according to the American Diabetes Association. If ketone levels continue to build up, the condition can progress and increase risk for diabetic coma, and even death. Diabetics must monitor their blood sugar levels to prevent ketones from building up, and to reduce the associated symptoms. Type 1 diabetics can also suffer from extreme hunger and weight loss.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes afflicts over 90 percent of diabetics, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insufficient production of insulin, and resistance of skeletal muscle cells that are unable to bind to the hormone. Excess sugar intake causes blood sugar to swell, which in turn causes secretion of high levels of insulin into the blood that increase risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high fats according to research in "Diabetes Care." According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetics do not usually have ketoacidosis, but often have similar symptoms as type 1 diabetics such as dry mouth, thirst, hunger and frequent urination, plus blurred vision, tingling and numbing in the hands and feet, cuts and bruises that heal slowly, and recurring bladder, skin and gum infections. Frequent infections of the feet, urinary tract, and lower respiratory tract are common according to studies in the "International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds," "Family Practice," and "International Journal of Infectious Diseases."
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is characterized by a shortage of insulin production that affects about 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women who were not diabetic before pregnancy, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. About 40 to 60 percent of women with gestational diabetes can develop type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years. According to the Mayo Clinic, most women with gestational diabetes do not experience noticeable symptoms, and rarely have excessive thirst or increased urination.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes
- "Diabetes Care"; Insulin Resistance; DeFronzo, R.A.; Mar 1991
- "International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds"; Necrotizing Infection; Aragon-Sanchez, J.; Sep 2009
- "Family Practice"; Risk of Recurrent Acute Lower Urinary Tract Infections and Diabetes ; Gorter, K.J.; Aug 2010
- "International Journal of Infectious Diseases"; Incidence Antibiotic Diabetes; Venmans, L.M.; Nov 2009
