Diabetes is a disease that is becoming a huge health problem for many people. The two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2, are becoming more and more common not only in adults, but in children as well. Type 1 diabetes is considered an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own system, destroying the insulin the pancreas produces. Type 2 diabetes is a form of diabetes where the body is still producing insulin, but the body has become resistant to its effects. Both are serious conditions that need careful monitoring, because the effects can be very harmful if the sufferer is not vigilant about taking care of themselves.
Most often, long term effects of diabetes are seen in people that let their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long stretches of time. This is why early detection is important – the sooner you know there is a problem, the sooner you can get it under control and not let your glucose levels run wild for any length of time and cause you any damage. A diabetes diagnosis is definitely not the end of the world, and a patient can live a long, healthy and fulfilling life with proper treatment.
Without proper treatment, a patient is susceptible to eye health issues, nerve damage, damage to the heart and blood vessels and kidney damage. Diabetes is treated through diet, oral medication, insulin shots, and exercise. For many people, diet and exercise are enough to keep things under control, particularly in cases of Type 2 diabetes, but others will require insulin shots or oral medication. When you or someone you love is diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, be sure to talk to your doctor or health care provider about how best to avoid any of the adverse long term effects diabetes can cause and get on a good regimen to keep your diabetes under control!