Diabetes is a group of diseases that is marked by high levels of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. The increased amount sugar in the blood is a result of either defects in the production of insulin or the way in which insulin is used by the body. Complications from diabetes can result in further medical conditions that make it difficult to treat the diabetes, such as kidney failure, peripheral vascular disease or heart disease.
Type 1 diabetes is the result of a lack of insulin production because of the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas. These beta cells are responsible for the production of insulin that regulates blood glucose. Researchers have found that there is a combination of genetic and environmental factors that increase a person’s risk for developing Type 1 diabetes. (1)
If these factors can be identified through further research then it is feasible that scientists will be able to make recommendations for the prevention of this disease. Researchers do know that the body attacks the beta cells in the pancreas because of a mistake made by the immune system. The theory is that Type 1 diabetes happens when an environmental toxin or pathogen triggers the immune system to attack itself.
Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age but most often happens in children and young adults. Because of the causative factors it has an acute onset. Most individuals are able to pinpoint when their symptoms began. In some instances the resulting problems from an acute onset of symptoms leads to the need for emergency services.
Type 2 diabetes is also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or adult onset diabetes. This condition happens when the body still produces enough insulin but the body has become resistant to the effects of the hormone. This type of diabetes usually develops in middle age and in overweight individuals. It is most common in people who are older, obese, have a family history of diabetes or have had gestational diabetes. (2)
References:
(1) American Diabetes Association: Type 2 Diabetes
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/
(2) PubMed Health: Type 2 Diabetes
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001356/
(3) American Pregnancy Association: Gestational Diabetes
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/gestationaldiabetes.html
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