Guest guest Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 There are two types of Diabetes, Type 1 (sometimes called Juvenile Diabetes, although it does occur in adults) and Type 2 (called Adult-Onset Diabetes, but now it is showing up in young children). Type 1 is thought to be an auto-immune disorder. Possibly a viral infection causes the body to "turn" on itself, and the part of the pancreas that makes insulin is destroyed. Without insulin, you die. Insulin is necessary to "help" get glucose into the cells so they can use it for energy. Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, involving many organs in the body. It is not caused by "eating too much sugar." In most Type 2 patients, the body produces LOTS of insulin, but for some reason, the insulin and the glucose don't team up like they should, so the glucose can enter the cells. The liver plays an important role in this entire process. Type 2 is handled with losing weight, exercise, diet, and medication. If a Type 2 Diabetic can lose enough weight, keep up a steady exercise regimen, and eat a balanced diet (the Atkins-type diet is NOT good for long term Diabetes control!), many times he or she can cut back or completely eliminate the medication. Sometimes, herbals and supplements can be of great help to the Type 2, but the DIET and EXERCISE part must continue life long. BOTH types of Diabetes put the patient at risk for kidney damage, blindness, gangrene, heart attack, and stroke. It's a nasty, nasty disease. ~VOW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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