Diabetes Type I
Essay by 24 • November 28, 2010 • 520 Words (3 Pages) • 1,366 Views
Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism of carbohydrates in which the body does not produce or correctly use insulin. The hormone, insulin, is produced by beta cells in the pancreas that allows blood sugar to enter the cells where it will be transformed into energy. There are three forms of diabetes, but type I and type II diabetes are the most common.
Type I diabetes is also called insulin dependent diabetes. Type I is a severe form of diabetes mellitus in which insulin production by the beta cells of the pancreas is impaired, usually resulting in dependence on externally administered insulin, the onset of the disease typically occurring before the age of 25. Type II diabetes is known as non-insulin dependent diabetes. Type II diabetes is a mild, sometimes asymptomatic form of diabetes mellitus characterized by diminished tissue sensitivity to insulin and sometimes by impaired beta cell function, exacerbated by obesity and often treatable by diet and exercise.
With type I diabetes the immune system makes a mistake, attacking the beta cells and causing them to die. Without the beta cells, there is no possible way to produce insulin. Therefore, glucose builds up in the blood and causes diabetes. With type II diabetes is the most common diabetes. Just like type I, during type II diabetes glucose builds up in the blood not because not enough insulin is present but because cells lose their insulin receptors and become less sensitive to insulin.
Type I exhibits warning signs such as losing weight without trying, an increased need to urinate, increased hunger and thirst, and trouble seeing. As for type II diabetes it can cause only three problems: high blood sugar, low blood sugar, and complications on organs. But individuals with type II diabetes often have no symptoms. If they were to have symptoms it would be any of type I symptoms, frequent infections, blurred vision, cuts/bruises that take time to heal, and recurring skin/gum/
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