What is Double Diabetes?
Double Diabetes is the term for a person having both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. How does this happen? If a person has type 1 diabetes gains weight they may start develop type 2. If they have type 2 and doesn’t follow her doctor prescribed protocol properly they may overwork their pancreas and begin to develop type 1. Either way, having a direct relative with diabetes will double your risk. So talk to your doctor if you have any siblings with diabetes. You will need to get screened yearly starting at age 45 to see if you are going to develop diabetes.
What is Type 1?
Type 1 diabetes is where your pancreas does not produce the right amount of insulin. Because of this, sugar enters the body cells in a reduced amount. Only one in ten diabetes sufferers are affected with Type 1 diabetes, and it is also known as insulin dependent
mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile onset diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes requires you to take insulin injections daily. Without implantation of an insulin pump, you will take an injection for the rest of your life.
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are: incessant thirst, unexplained weight loss, increased hunger, frequent urination, weakness, and general fatigue.
Type 1 diabetes usually is developed before age 30 and its symptoms come on quickly.
What is Type 2?
Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
This form of diabetes occurs most often after the age of 40 in overweight people.
Most of the time diet and exercise can treat this type of diabetes instead of insulin.
Symptoms form slowly and will include: burred vision, frequent urination, increased thirst, slow healing sores, irritability, frequent bladder/vaginal/or skin infections, and tingling of hands and feet.
Double diabetes sufferers need a full on support system complete with friends and family. Online support groups can be a wonderful help when you are feeling that you are getting “hit from all sides”. As you battle to control your symptoms and perhaps cease one of the onset types of diabetes, these support systems will be instrumental. Below are some of the internet support system groups for diabetics.
Diabetes World
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetesworld/
Diabetes Support
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/Diabetes-Support
Diabetic Exchange Diet
http://groups.yahoo/com/group/DiabeticExchangeDiet/
Diabetes UK
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetes-uk/join
Diabetes and More
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DiabetesAndMore
Diabetes Support Group
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/groups/Diabetes_Support_Group/
