Type 1 and type 2 diabetes both affect the way in which your body produces and processes insulin, a very important hormone. If either type of diabetes is untreated and unmanaged it can lead to very serious consequences. To learn more about how diabetes affects your health and what you can do to prevent and treat the condition, you can reach out to Dr. Juan Zubieta of the North Houston Diabetes Institute in Humble, TX.
Type 1 Diabetes
With type 1 diabetes, your body's immune system attacks insulin-creating cells in your pancreas. The condition is not preventable and is typically inherited, normally developing in children and younger adults.
Type 2 Diabetes
Although you are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you have a family history of the condition, unlike type 1, type 2 is preventable. It primarily affects older adults, but it's becoming more common among younger people and children. The pancreas, with type 2 diabetes, still produces some insulin, but not as much as it should. But type 2 diabetes also causes your body to not properly use the insulin it has access to.
Why Insulin is Important
The hormone allows your body to use the glucose and sugar you consume and turn it into energy, but if there is not enough insulin then a lot of that glucose and sugar gets collected into the blood, resulting in high blood sugar. Your kidneys then have to do a lot of work to remove this excess sugar from the blood, resulting in common diabetes symptoms like increased urination and increased thirst. However, the condition can also lead to a number of possible health complications.
Diabetes Treatment in Humble, TX
Although there is no cure for either condition, with lifestyle changes and with the help of your doctor, diabetes can be successfully managed.
Explore your diabetes treatment options by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Zubieta of the North Houston Diabetes Institute in Humble, TX, by dialing (832) 644-9595.