5.19 Diabetes Flashcards
When does type 1 diabetes generally occur?
During childhood or teenage years
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is where the pancreas stops producing insulin. The result is that a person’s blood glucose level can rise to a level that can kill them. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy.
What is insulin therapy?
It usually involves having insulin injections several times a day (often at mealtimes). This makes sure that glucose is removed from the blood quickly once food has been digested. This stops the level of glucose in the blood from getting too high and is a very effective treatment. The amount of insulin needed depends on the person’s diet and how active they are.
What do people with type 1 diabetes need to think about? (2)
- Limiting their intake of food rich in simple carbohydrates, e.g. sugars (which cause the blood glucose to rise rapidly).
- Taking regular exercise (which helps to remove excess glucose from the blood).
Who does type 2 diabetes generally target?
Older people who have had unhealthy diets for a long time
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is where a person becomes resistant to insulin (their body’s cells don’t respond properly to the hormone) or the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. This can also cause blood sugar level to rise to a dangerous level.
How can type 2 diabetes be controlled? (5)
- By eating a healthy diet (this includes replacing simple carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates, e.g. wholegrains)
- Exercising regularly
- Losing weight
- Medication
- Insulin injections (some cases - if pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin)
What is the underlying issue in type 1 diabetes?
The pancreas doesn’t release enough insulin
How is type 1 diabetes managed?
People with type 1 diabetes have to inject insulin after meals because they don’t produce it themselves. They also have to monitor their diets (for example not have too much sugary food), and also exercise regularly.
