Medical Author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Medically Reviewed on 5/3/2019
Doctor's Notes on Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 and Type 2)
Diabetes (type 1 and type 2) is a disease where the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired. Common signs and symptoms type 1 and type 2 diabetes include
- excessive thirst,
- excessive hunger,
- excessive urination,
- fatigue and
- weight loss.
Type 1 diabetes is when the body either stops insulin production or produces too little insulin to regulate blood glucose levels.
- It is usually diagnosed in children or adolescents.
- Symptoms type 1 diabetes may develop quickly.
- Other signs of type 1 diabetes may include urinary tract infections, dehydration, nausea and vomiting.
- Untreated type 1 diabetes can cause coma or death.
Type 2 diabetes is when the body is partially or completely unable to respond to insulin.
- It is usually diagnosed in adults (45 years and older).
- Symptoms type 2 often develop very gradually.
- Type 2 diabetes, untreated, can lead to nerve damage, blindness, kidney failure, hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (extremely high levels of blood glucose, causing coma or death) and heart disease.
Diabetes (type 1 and type 2) Causes
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that make insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes causes are less clear; however, such factors as genetics, obesity, high fat levels in the blood and the diet, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, ethnicity, birthing a baby weighing more than 9 lbs. and aging may play a role in type 2 development.
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Metabolic Syndrome
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Neuropathy
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What Is the Normal HbA1C Level?
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REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.