Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects the patient’s long-term health. Four variations of diabetes can be distinguished: type 1, type 2, gestational, and juvenile. First, type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly identifies healthy cells as foreign bodies and attacks them (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). This reaction leads to low insulin production, causing uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in youth, constituting about 5 to 10% of all cases (American Diabetes Association, 2022). However, teenagers and young adults may also show symptoms later.
Second, type 2 diabetes is the most common variant – it develops in adults or younger generations when insulin is produced but not used effectively. While the specific causes are unknown, some preventive factors are a healthy diet and exercise (CDC, 2023). Therefore, the main difference of this type is that a person may avoid developing diabetes through lifestyle changes and medical care.
Gestational diabetes is unique as it occurs only in pregnant women due to hormonal changes leading to insulin misuse (CDC, 2023). It may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes after birth, but it usually goes away (CDC, 2023). Finally, one may distinguish the juvenile category of type 1 diabetes as a condition that is diagnosed very early in life.
Treatment Options
Metformin is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes – it is taken to control blood glucose levels. It acts by increasing sensitivity to insulin, which promotes regulation, and lowering the production of glucose in the liver and its use in the intestines (Padhi et al., 2020). The main form in which metformin is taken is tablets with an immediate- or extended-release (Drugs, 2023).
For example, an adult may be prescribed an extended-release pill with a dosage between 500 and 1000 mg (up to 2000 mg) once daily (Drugs, 2023). The tablet is taken in the evening with a meal and a glass of water to swallow it whole. Food is essential for reducing the risk of adverse effects and protecting the gastrointestinal tract (Drugs, 2023). The patient is instructed to take metformin at the same time every day to ensure consistent results.
Patients with type 2 diabetes are usually recommended to monitor their diet. An eating plan that prioritizes nutritious foods, fiber, and healthy fats helps one control sugar intake and avoid high or low blood glucose levels. For example, some recommendations include eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes, low-fat dairy products, nuts, whole grains, and lean protein (Drugs, 2023). The diet also has to exclude foods that increase lipid or glucose levels. Here, the items to avoid include high-fat products, fried and processed foods, and excessive salt consumption (CDC, 2023). A healthy diet can be a preventive and a treatment measure for patients.
Health Implications
The short- and long-term impacts of type 2 diabetes can range from mild symptoms to severe health risks. When diabetes is not controlled, a person may experience vision problems, polyuria, malaise, weight loss, skin dryness, infections, slowed-down healing of injuries, and more (CDC, 2023). Long-term consequences include heart and kidney disease, complete or partial vision loss, neuropathy, gangrene, and mental and cognitive issues (CDC, 2023).
In contrast, metformin is generally safe, although it may cause some side effects, such as nausea, stomachache, diarrhea, and low blood glucose (Drugs, 2023). Lactic acidosis is a potential issue from taking metformin, but its occurrence is rare (Drugs, 2023). Additionally, some patients may experience low levels of vitamin B12, which is also treated with supplements (Drugs, 2023). While not completely treating the disease, metformin can prevent many long-term consequences of uncontrolled diabetes.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2022). Statistics about diabetes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). What is diabetes.
Drugs. (2023). Metformin.
Padhi, S., Nayak, A. K., & Behera, A. (2020). Type II diabetes mellitus: A review on recent drug based therapeutics. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 131, 110708.