As most people know, I have Type 1 Diabetes. I have a goal to learn as much about diabetes as I can. At some future time, I would also like to find a way to be more involved in my community with diabetes education and awareness. So this goal starts here.
I will post more information and updates as I continue to learn about diabetes myself. Please post any comments or questions you may also have and I will answer those as I study and learn more.
For starters, when it comes to diabetes, there are two different types. They are defined by Google as follows,
Type 1: once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes has no cure.
Type 2: once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's important source of fuel.
A big difference between the two types is insulin. Type 1 diabetes is insulin dependent, while type 2 diabetes is non insulin dependent. What is insulin? Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Why is it important to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood? Well I'm glad you asked.
Insulin binds to a receptor on the cell which sets off a series of signals. These signals tell the cell to move a channel to the outer membrane wall which then opens the wall to let glucose into the cell. You need glucose because it is the primary source of energy to the cell. If the glucose is not pulled out of the bloodstream, your body has to try to find energy somewhere else. The body will then break down fat as fuel. This process produces a buildup of acids in the bloodstream called ketones. Too many ketone acids in the bloodstream can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis must be quickly addressed in the hospital. So monitoring the amount of glucose in the bloodstream can prevent that from happening.
This video tries to sell you insulin, but I really like how the video explains it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae_jC4FDOUc
This guy is a little more technical but does a fantastic job too. And it's a shorter explanation. He only talks about insulin, not the buildup of ketones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlHez8gwMgw
One other important thing to note is that it says Type 1 diabetes was once known as juvenile diabetes. I was diagnosed with it when I was 23. It is much better to categorize the two types by insulin dependent (Type 1) and non-insulin dependent (Type 2).
Approximately 14% of the American population have some form of diabetes. Of those that have diabetes, 90% have Type 2, while only 10% have Type 1. That's 10% of 14%. However, the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Many genetic factors come into play here. Also the fact that as medical knowledge and availability increases, the less people with diabetes are dying. If I had been born at an earlier time in history - before so many medical advances - I would have definitely died in childbirth due to my diabetes.
For a little help from Kadee, see https://wallacefam2012.blogspot.com/2018/03/kadee-diabetes-educator.html
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