Question

what similarites are present between type 1 and type 2 diabetes . include the long-term manifestation, treatment and complications.

Answer 1

Diabetes mellitus is the impairment in the secretion of the insulin in the blood and many different degrees of insulin resistance present in the peripheral region of the body which leads to hyperglycaemia.

Type 1 DM: it is a chronic condition in which the pancreas will either produce a little or no insulin.

Type 2 DM: it is a chronic condition in which there is an alteration or affect in the method of processing or metabolism of the blood sugar or glucose by the body.

Similarities:

- the major similarity between type 1 and type 2 DM is the involvement of insulin in both the cases.

- both can lead to similar kinds of complications related to cardiovascular diseases, diseases related to kidney, loss of vision, neurological conditions and damage to the blood vessels as well as other major organs.

- the causes of both type 1 and type 2 is similar which involves genetic and environmental factors as well as decrease in the level of vitamin D.

Long term manifestations of DM:

- damage occurs in the macrovascular system of our body including heart, brain and legs.

- it will cause damage to the microvascular system of our body including eyes, kidney, feet and nerves.

- affects other body parts like digestive system, skin, sexual organs, teeth, gum, and immune system of the body.

Treatment:

Type 1 DM:

- cannot be cured

- treatment of symptoms can be done

- gene therapy, regenerative medicine using stem cells, transplantation of pancreatic islets etc can be opted

- injection of insulin on daily basis

- other drugs can also be used like pramlintide

- following of healthy lifestyle, daily glucose level tests should be done, daily exercises should be done etc.

Type 2 DM:

- cannot be cured

- measures should be taken in order to promote slow progression of the disease as well as to treat the symptoms.

- bypass of gastric can be done in order to reduce the symptoms in obese people

- drugs like Metformin, SGL T2 inhibitors, DP-4 inhibitors, alpha- glucosidase inhibitors, meglitinides, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, glucagon like peptide -1 agonist, and in some cases insulin can be used.

- following of treatment plan, healthy diet, daily exercises, management of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, changing the unhealthy lifestyle etc.

Complications:

- diabetic retinopathy

- risk of cardiovascular diseases

- risk of renal diseases/ diabetic nephropathy

- diabetic neuropathy

- eye problems

- diabetic foot

- gangrene and amputation