What is diabetes? - a thread

TYPE 1: type 1 diabetes, also known as childhood or juvenile diabetes happens when not enough insulin is being made in the pancreas. Insulin allows sugar to pass into our cells to be used for energy. When not enough insulin is present, the sugar cannot pass into the body’s cells

therefore, the sugar is high in the blood. This is also known as high blood sugar.

TYPE 2: type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset, is different from type 1. Insulin is still being made in the pancreas, but it is either not enough 84 it doesn’t work very well. This usually happens when someone is either unhealthy or overweight.

More about type 1: T1D happens when a persons body develops an allergy against the islet cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. When the islet cells have been damaged, the immune system makes something called antibodies. These antibodies are a marker of the immune system-

-attacking the pancreas.

More about type 2: type 2 diabetes is partly inherited. It is also linked with being overweight and not getting enough exercise. Type 2 does not occur as a result of the self-allergy like type 1.

What is low blood sugar?: low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, occurs when the blood sugars are below 70 mg/dl. The main causes of low blood sugar are: extra exercise, too much insulin, taking a bath/shower after injection of insulin, a previous low blood sugar during-

the day, illness, late or missed meals or snacks, and alcohol intake. Here are some signs that someone may have low blood sugar: hunger, feeling shaky/sweaty/and or weak, confusion, sleepiness, changes in behavior or mood, double vision, waking up alert, crying, or having-

bad dreams. Low blood sugar must be treated immediately by the person (if they are able to) or by someone who is near them at the time. Low blood sugar can be treated with sugar, like juice or candy (preferably not chocolate). If a low blood sugar goes untreated-

eventual loss of consciousness or a seizure may occur. If this happens, a glucagon injection will make the blood sugar rise in 10 to 20 minutes.

Feel free to reply with questions or dm me if you have any :)

also, people often mix up type 2 diabetes and type 1!! please remember that they are completely different!

*all information is from “a first book for understanding diabetes” by Brigitte I. Frohnert and H. Peter Chase at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes*

this isn’t a very good thread, but I hope some of you feel at least a little bit more educated about it :)