Diabetics? Young and Old

type 1=you're born with it.
type 2= you're a fat kid/adult.

type 1=you're born with it.
type 2= you're a fat kid/adult.

Not true.

Anyone can develop Type 1 at any age. It is most prevalent among younger people though. That is why is was also known as Juvenile Diabetes. (and no, you do not grow out of it.) It is an autoimmune disease where the insulin producing cells in the pancreas are attacked and eventually the pancreas stops working. People with Type 1 must take insulin either through injections or via insulin pumps before eating any foods containing carbohydrates.

Type 2 is a metabolic disorder where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced is not use sufficiently (ie converted to glucose for energy). People of normal weights also get Type 2, it is not exclusive to those that are overweight. First line of treatment is usually drugs (ie metformin) and diet/lifestyle changes. As people age, gain weight, don't make changes as well as other reasons they may need to add insulin to their treatment regimen. This does make them a Type 1.

Type 2 checking in. it under controle not on any meds for it.

Type 1 for 29 years here!

Type II here. Diagnosed with it about 15 years ago. Within the last year I have joined a gym, lost about 70 lbs., eat the type of food that is low glycemic and have managed to get off all my diabetes medication. It's not easy by any means and requires a commitment to a serious lifestyle change but can be done. I didn't jump in with the idea of a quick fix as it took me 58 years to get to the point that I needed to take action. Taking your time and taking small steps in the right direction makes it much easier to achieve success. You'll hit plateaus and will stumble but endeavor to persevere. It's taken me a year and I'm now tweaking my diet and exercise to drop the last few pounds and maintain my health. With the plan of doing it for the next 58 years.

type 1=you're born with it.
type 2= you're a fat kid/adult.

Not true!!!
Type 1 is auto immune and can happen at any age. It is more common in younger kids and young adults but it can happen at any time. It is sometimes associated with a history of a recent viral illness but no specific infectious agent has been identified. You produce antibodies against the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. If the insulin is not replaced then you will die. No amount of weight loss or dietary changes will change this fact. The diagnosis is made by proving the presence of the antibodies against your pancreatic cells. I was diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 60 and had only had symptoms for a few months. If I was born with it I never would have made it to 60! I'm now using an insulin pump instead of the 6-8 insulin injections I need each day before the pump.

Type 2 is caused by a progressive resistance to the action of the insulin that you make yourself. It tends to run in families so there is a genetic component to this disease. You inherit the susceptibility for this and symptoms are usually associated with excess weight, inactivity and abnormal lipid profiles. It can usually be controlled with strict dietary changes and increasing exercise. Strict carb limits and daily exercise are a large component of therapy although some type 2s need injected insulin until they loos the weight and become more active.

The only way to know if you are diabetic and what type is to get tested by your MD.
The american diabetic association website has a lot of good information. Do your homework and find out what you need to do and what to ask you medical provider. Getting a correct diagnosis is critical to getting the right treatment as soon as posible.
Left untreated diabetes can be deadly.

Noticing you all have Diabetes of one kind or another - I know of another treatment for type 2 - which does not involve drugs. It involves diet. You need to find Dr J McDougall MD of Santa Rosa. His treatment cures many - and you can read the testimonials. Do not let another day go by without looking into this wonderful - and free advice from a dedicated and enlightened man

Good luck to you all

Elsdon

type 1=you're born with it.
type 2= you're a fat kid/adult.

No wonder my mum had so much trouble giving birth to me, I was born as a 10 year old.

type 2 here , was off meds due to weight loss, stress caused me to regain it, now back trying to lose it again and stay off meds.

Type 2, since Aug, I was put on Glipizide and Metformin to control mine. I agree with elsdonward, I am changing my lifestyle and diet to eventually stay off of the medications. I have already been able to drop the metformin and still keep my sugars within range. Hopefully by the end of Sept. I can cut my other one in half. I believe by changing the way I eat, this will in turn cause me to loose weight and get off the meds.