Types of Diabetes

• Types of diabetes:

  • type 1 - a lifelong autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
  • type 2 - where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin properly
• Symptoms of T2 Diabetes:

  • thirst
  • increased urination, esp at night
  • tiredness/fatigue
  • poor healing + frequent infection
  • unexplained weight loss
  • blurred vision
  • genital itching
  • increased hunger
• Type 1 Diabetes:

  • occurs as a result of the swift and progressive destruction of beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, in the pancreas, which leads to absolute insulin deficiency
  • signs/symptoms:
  • thirst
  • frequent urination
  • tiredness
  • unexpected and sudden weight loss
  • increased appetite
  • sudden vision changes
  • ketones in urine
  • fruity odour on breath
  • heavy/laboured breathing
• Type 1 vs Type 2:

  • Type 1:
  • absence of insulin - autoimmune disease
  • age of onset - 6/12 to 40+ years
  • GAD positive
  • c-pepitde negative < 80
  • prevalence = 8%
  • quick onset - acute symptoms
  • treatment - dependant on insulin
  • Type 2:
  • insufficient insulin/insulin resistance - metabolic syndrome
  • generally > 40 years
  • GAD negative
  • c-peptide positive > 200
  • prevalence = 90%
  • slow onset - unrecognised symptoms
  • diet/exercise/medication