Double Diabetes More Than Double the Trouble

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/aug/13/double_diabetes.htm

 

Double Diabetes More Than Double the Trouble

 

Doctors are seeing increasing numbers of patients with " double

diabetes " -- the symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This

makes it difficult to diagnose and treat patients, particularly if

they are children.

 

Type 1 diabetes happens when your body's own immune system attacks the

insulin-producing cells of your pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is a

function of your body being unable to process insulin properly.

 

Blurring the Lines

 

Double diabetes can come in many forms, and happen at any age. Some

people start as type 1 diabetics, and then develop the more common

type 2 as a result of weight gain. Others may simply not fall clearly

into one of the two categories.

 

This creates problems because different types of diabetes call for

different treatments.

 

Children at Risk

 

At the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, about 25 percent of children

with type 1 diabetes are also demonstrating type 2 symptoms. At the

same time, a study to determine the best treatment for children with

type 2 diabetes has found that many of the participants also have the

type 1 form.

 

Both forms of diabetes can result in further problems if not treated

properly, including:

 

* Heart disease

* Kidney disease

* Blindness

* Amputation

* Death

 

Killer Weight Gain

 

It is theorized that one cause of double diabetes might be obesity,

either because it accelerates autoimmune destruction, or causes the

pancreas to be overworked until it wears out.

 

It is unknown whether or not double diabetics will need special

treatments. Double diabetes has also been called atypical diabetes,

diabetes 1 1/2, and type 3 diabetes.

 

San Francisco Chronicle July 19, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Over 95 percent of diabetics are type 2 (insulin resistant). But a

growing number of those with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent) are

beginning to suffer the effects of type 2 as well. This is because

they have not made the simple diet and lifestyle changes that can

control blood sugar levels and prevent the worsening of diabetic

complications.

 

One of the major problems is that the American Diabetes Association

(ADA), and nearly every endocrinologist who treats type 1 diabetes,

has no idea whatsoever about the concept of slow carbs and metabolic

typing.

 

Contributing editor and noted colleague Dr. Ron Rosedale probably said

it best in his recent comments on treating diabetes:

 

" What they're being told to do by their doctor is not helping

them, and in fact may be prolonging and likely exacerbating their

disease ... Unfortunately, doctors are poor teachers because they

themselves are being taught wrong. They are being taught by very large

and wealthy corporations, including pharmaceutical companies, whose

motives are not to improve people's health, but to maximize profit ...

 

The medical profession still treats diabetes as a disease of blood

sugar, since that is a symptom that can be modified with drugs ...

diabetes is not a disease of blood sugar; it is a disease of insulin,

and perhaps even more appropriately, leptin signaling. "

 

All diabetics, whether they have type 1, type 2, or both, should take

the following steps:

 

*

 

Get enough sleep. Too little sleep may reduce levels of leptin,

leading to weight gain and increased risk of diabetes. Many people are

chronically sleep deprived.

*

 

Reduce or eliminate sugars and grains from your diet. This is

the single most important change most diabetics can make; it prevents

insulin spikes, and eventually lowers your body's insulin level.

*

 

Exercise. Vigorous aerobic exercise increases the sensitivity of

your insulin and leptin receptors, which enables your body to use

insulin and leptin more effectively. This lowers your blood sugars,

and allows for reduced insulin and leptin production in your body.

Diabetics with blood sugars over 170 mg/dl need to use extra caution

and medical supervision for their exercise program, because elevated

blood sugars may rise further with exercise.

 

Related Articles:

 

The Diabetes Conundrum: What Physicians Are Teaching You May be

Killing You

 

Leptin: How Diabetes and Obesity Are Linked

 

Get Enough Sleep to Avoid Diabetes