Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes can be briefly explained as a metabolic syndrome where the human body is unable to absorb and utilize its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose. This occurs when the body is unable to produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is required to convert glucose into energy.

This is the most severe form of diabetes. It develops when pancreas makes little or no insulin. Without insulin in the blood stream, sugar does not get into the cells, and remains in the blood. People with type-1 diabetes depend on injections of insulin to regulate their smaller metabolism.

Type 1 Diabetes is often a genetic disease and at times also caused by environmental factors. In this antibodies are produced within the patient’s body that destroys the cells responsible for producing insulin. As the insulin production is reduced or stopped Glucose level goes up. Insulin injections are required to treat this type of diabetes.

To understand Type 1 Diabetes, you first need to understand that the body produces insulin primarily in the islet cells of the pancreas. This disease process is commonly seen early in life, because it is a failure of a system in the body. It may be seen at any age, however. There are some noted cases of pancreas damage from infections, toxic conditions or injury that have produced this diagnosis, but most cases are considered developmental or genetic. For this reason, newer treatments being utilized involve replacement of the failed systems by pancreas or islet cell transplants.

Type 2 is more commonly known as non-insulin dependent diabetes. In the cases of type 2 patients production of insulin is still possible but in variable ways: it is either produced to much or in quantities not big enough for the body’s needs. The action of the disease tends to start in the muscle cells and fat cells , slowly but gradually making a bad effect on the liver to. This in particular, besides the fact that there is insufficient insulin in the body, produces glucose even if levels are quite hi.

To further understand Type 2 Diabetes, it must be therefore understood that the body either fails to produce enough insulin or the cells react poorly (or ignore) the insulin. When a food is eaten, the body utilizes insulin to break down sugar (glucose), starches or other foods into energy for the cells. If the cells fail to absorb the necessary energy (due toinsufficient or poorly functioning insulin), the blood sugar increases and the cells are starved for energy.

Both types of diabetes require that the patient maintain normal blood glucose levels in an effort to reduce the possibility of organ damage, including eyesight, kidney, blood circulation, etc. In order for this to occur, patients must carefully monitor their food intake and make sure to participate in regular exercise, all the while continuing to monitor their blood glucose level.

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