The first type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes that affects people who have high blood pressure, who are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. Other causes include inactiveness, strokes, vascular disease, or high cholesterol levels. People over forty-five are at risk for type 2 diabetes as well. Individuals who have type 2 diabetes do not necessarily take insulin because often the body produces enough insulin(especially in the early stages). However, the body does not recognize the insulin and does not process it correctly. As a result, glucose enters the bloodstream and builds up causing the body to malfunction.

The buildup of glucose in the bloodstream can cause dehydration, diabetic coma, nerve damage, hardening of the arteries and kidney damage. The longer the body goes without proper treatment, more damage is done to the body and can lead to death. Although type 2 diabetes is found in more adults, children are prone to this kind of diabetes as well.

Type 1 diabetes usually shows up in children, but can affect some adults. Type 1 diabetes is caused when the pancreas does not make any insulin for the body. The insulin is needed so that the glucose can enter the body cells instead of staying in the blood stream, which leads to a build-up of sugar in the blood. If a build up of sugar in the blood occurs, long-term health problems will arise such as diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to death. If left untreated, type 1 diabetes can lead to kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness and other eye problems as well as heart problems.

Type 1 diabetes was called juvenile diabetes for years before being given the current title. Type 1 diabetes was known to affect children more so than it did adults. The different between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that with type 1 diabetes the body does not make insulin and with type 2 the body does not produce enough insulin to sustain the body. For the most part, people who have type 2 diabetes just need a proper diet with exercise and some medication to treat diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, people have to take insulin shots and watch their sugar counts.

Some symptoms of type 1 diabetes might be an increase in thirst, hunger after eating, dry mouth, increased urination, weight loss, and fatigue. Type 2 diabetes may have the same symptoms as type 1 diabetes, however, most of the time you do not experience any symptoms. Some other symptoms you may notice with type 2 diabetes are tingling of the feet or hands, weight gain, itchy skin around the groin or vaginal area as well as yeast infections and sores that heal slowly.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical advice to confirm if it is or is not a form of diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for people who have diabetes or show any signs of diabetes symptoms. If you discover your diabetes first, you can work to counter it before it becomes too severe. Prolonging a checkup can cause more harm to the body.

*The author of this blog is not a medical professional and this article does not contain professional medical advice. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the contents of this article. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.