Type 1 University

A lot of people are unaware of the difference between Type 1 and Type 2. It is often frusterating to any diabetic, so I am going to try and clearify. Get your pen and paper ready for some note taking and prepare yourself to be schooled!
First...some simple definitions (definitions provided by Mayo clinic)

Type1:
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels.

Type2:
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
Still confused?

Don't worry I'm not going to leave you hanging. Type 1 is also known as Juvenile diabetes, although you seem to not hear that term much anymore because more and more GROWN adults are being diagnosed with Type 1. Type 1 is also an autoimmune disease and something as simple as a cold can cause it to come out of hiding and interupt your life forever. Treatment for type 1 is often very different than that of type 2. When you have type 1, you are insulin dependant. That means your body requires insulin injections or inhalants in order to survive. Type 2 on the other hand is often controlled by diet and exercise, but that does not mean that a type 2 will not need insulin. Some type 2 diabetics become resistant to there own insulin and may require insulin injections in order to keep a tighter control on there blood sugars.

The results of poor diabetic care in both type 1 and type 2 are the same. Poor care or the lack of care can result in amputation of limbs, cardiovascular disease, poor eye sight including blindness, nerve damage, and kidney disease. Thank God that diabetic complications can be avoided by proper treatment, diet, exercise, and a tight control on blood sugar levels. Just because you have diabetes, doesn't mean that any of these things have to happen to you. Any diabetic MUST be wise about the decisions they make when it comes to care and treatment, keeping them complication free.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or tips please let me know...I would love to hear from you! I think proper care in both diabetics and non-diabetics comes from educating yourself. So I challenge you to educate yourself on something you have been thinking about doing lately.

Peace and education!
-Kimberlee