Diabetes – Types, Causes And Treatment

Diabetes is a very serious disease. Left unchecked, it can bring serious consequences including death. Fortunately, it is a disease that can be managed. Unfortunately most of the people who have diabetes do not know that they have it and hence do not treat it till it become very late. If you suspect you have diabetes, it is very important that you get prompt professional attention and to determine whether you suffer from this.

All of us know someone suffering from diabetes. This sums up the prevalence of diabetes. It is, apart from being one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, also a disease that opens up a Pandora's box of many complications. No wonder it is a dreaded disease and people who are diabetic end up getting other medical problems as well. Diabetes is a group of diseases with one thing in common - a problem with insulin.


Types Of Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, the insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed by an autoimmune process, whereby the body's immune system – its defence mechanism against disease – for some reason recognises the cells as being 'foreign' rather than 'self', and therefore attacks them.

In susceptible individuals, this autoimmune process is thought to be influenced by environmental factors – which are as yet unknown. Such susceptibility is genetically determined – two genes have been identified that appear to put an individual at risk, but there are certain to be more genes involved.

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or to properly use, insulin. It used to be called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Without adequate production or utilization of insulin, the body cannot move blood sugar into the cells. It is a chronic disease that has no known cure. It is the most common type of diabetes.

Causes of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes Causes

No one is exactly sure why the body turns on insulin-producing cells and destroys them. Genes play a role in diabetes, but researchers aren't sure how much. Most people who develop type 1 diabetes do not have a family history of diabetes. Genes for type 1 diabetes have been identified, making it possible to screen people who have relatives with type 1.

Type 2 Diabetes Causes

• Insufficient production of insulin in the pancreas

• a resistance to the action of insulin in the body's cells - especially in muscle, fat and liver cells.

Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes

A major study called the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial showed that if hemoglobin A1c levels were kept as close to normal as possible, people with type 1 had significantly lower rates of complications such as eye, kidney and nerve problems. Hemoglobin A1c is a test that reflects average blood sugar throughout a two- to three-month period.

Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes

The goal of treatment is to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.

Emphasis is on control of blood sugar (glucose) by monitoring the levels, regular physical activity, meal planning, and routine healthcare. Treatment of diabetes is an ongoing process of management and education that includes not only the person with diabetes, but also healthcare professionals and family members.

You can help prevent or postpone type 2 diabetes by taking these measures:

• Don't smoke.

• Limit your intake of fat and sugar.

• Eat regular, balanced meals that include the four food groups from Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating .

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by: healthar Total views: 14 Word Count: 608 Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2008 Time: 1:48 PM 0 comments