Archive for September, 2010

Type 1 Diabetics are Different: Their Life Depends on Insulin

September 26th, 2010

I sometimes think those of us advocating for type 1 (juvenile) diabetics would be better off if our disease had a different name.

The vast majority of diabetics are type 2 diabetics. Genetic and metabolic studies have revealed that type 2 diabetes is a large group of diseases that range from seemingly healthy people with high glucose after meals to people with declining insulin secretion that require insulin. Type 2 diabetes has a strong inherited component, with identical twin concordance of 90%. Most type 2 diabetics are never diagnosed, going through life unaware of their diabetes. Many can control their diabetes with diet and exercise alone. Many take pills of various sorts and some require insulin.

Scott's Opinion
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