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About Diabetes
What causes Diabetes
Do you have Diabetes?
Are you at risk for Diabetes?
Screening for Diabetes
Complications of Diabetes
Treating Diabetes
Causes of Diabetes
There are many different types of sugar molecules, but one
extremely important type of sugar molecule is glucose. Glucose
is the primary source of the body's energy. Glucose is one of
the many types of sugar molecules broken down by the body
during the digestion of carbohydrates from a variety of foods,
such as vegetables, fruit, milk products, bread and rice. Once
broken down from the digestion of carbohydrates, glucose is
absorbed directly into the bloodstream after eating. However,
glucose is unable to enter the body's cells without the
assistance of insulin. The body creates insulin and secretes
it from the pancreas.
The pancreas is located behind the stomach. When the body
detects that blood glucose levels have risen, cells in the
pancreas (beta cells) trigger the release of insulin from the
pancreas. The insulin then triggers cells to allow glucose to
enter, resulting in a lowering of the glucose levels in the
bloodstream. This process prevents blood glucose levels from
reaching high and dangerous levels. The blood sugar level and
trigger of insulin secretion work together. As blood sugar
levels fall, a corresponding decrease in insulin secretion
occurs.
This process is further aided by the liver. The liver stores
any excess glucose in the form of glycogen which is converted
by the liver into glucose and released into the bloodstream
when insulin levels in the blood are low.
This complex relationship between insulin, the liver, glucose
and several other hormones acts to keep blood sugar levels in
the body within healthy limits. In a healthy body where the
pancreas is functioning normally, the amount of glucose in the
bloodstream changes in response to variables such as exercise,
stress and foods eaten. This is an important balance within
the body, and when this balance is not working properly,
serious illness such as diabetes can result.
When this complex relationship is off, increased levels of
blood sugar result. This is usually caused by the pancreas not
producing a sufficient amount of insulin to enable glucose to
pass into cells, or the cells themselves develop resistance to
insulin. The precise cause of elevated blood sugar depends on
the type of diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
1) Type 1 Diabetes (previously called juvenile
diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes)
Type 1 Diabetes results when the pancreas makes very little or
no insulin. This is due to the body's own immune system
attacking your pancreas and destroying 'beta cells', which are
the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Unlike a healthy
body where the immune system fights viruses, bacteria and
other invading organisms, the immune system in Type 1 Diabetes
patients attacks the pancreas. Possible explanations for why
the pancreas acts this way include genetic factors, exposure
to viruses and diets high in fat. Researchers continue to
study this area. This form of diabetes often goes undetected
for years, even decades. Symptoms, when detected, usually
appear within a matter of weeks or a few months and are more
likely to appear after illness.
2) Type 2 diabetes (previously called adult-onset
diabetes or noninsulin dependent diabetes)
Type 2 Diabetes results when the pancreas doesn't produce
enough insulin to allow glucose to enter the body's cells, or
when cells develop a resistance to insulin. Unlike Type 1,
Type 2 Diabetes is not an autoimmune disease. Researchers
continue to study why this develops, but suggestions have been
presented that excess weight is the number one factor.
3) Maturity-Onset Diabetes of Youth (MODY)
This type of diabetes is a form of Type 2 Diabetes, is
inherited and very rare, affecting a very small percentage of
people, usually teenagers.
4) Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes generally develops in the second or third
trimester in pregnant women. It develops when hormones
produced by the placenta interfere with and negatively affect
the role of insulin in the body. Although gestational diabetes
disappears after childbirth, over 50% of those who have
suffered go on to develop Type 2 Diabetes later in life.
Approximately 2-5% of pregnant women develop gestational
diabetes. Although rare, Type 1 Diabetes can develop during
pregnancy as well, heightening blood sugar levels to the point
that insulin therapy is required.
5) Illness & Medications
Diabetes can also result from
illnesses and certain medications that negatively impact the
normal action of insulin. Only 1-2% of confirmed diabetes
illness occurs in this manner. Some procedures associated with
the development of diabetes due to these causes include:
-
surgical removal or inflammation
of the pancreas
-
disorders affecting the adrenal
gland
-
malnutrition
-
certain types of infection and
-
use of corticosteroid drugs
Read more from the
National
Institute of Diabetes. For Americans living with
diabetes, the
American Diabetes Association offers useful information,
resources and support. |
