Types and Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes is a very common disease that is caused when the body has a problem regulating the amount of glucose or sugar that’s in the blood. Glucose is what provides the body with the energy to perform everyday activities such as walking, jogging, riding a bike, exercising and so forth. The liver takes the food that you eat and turns some of it into glucose in the blood. The amount of glucose made is regulated by insulin. 

The pancreas produces insulin and it secretes enzymes that aid in the digestion of food. The insulin helps move the glucose from the blood into the areas that use it for food. These include the liver, fat cells and muscles. When a person has diabetes the glucose stays in the blood, which in turn damages the organs and tissues that are exposed to high levels of glucose. The cells that need the glucose for fuel is also damaged and the body can’t use them for fuel. 

Types of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes which are referred to as type 1 and type 2. People with type 1 normally don’t produce enough insulin to regulate the blood glucose level. Approximately ten percent of the diabetics in the US have type 1 diabetes and it’s normally recognized in childhood. However, it can occur in adults too and it does require daily insulin treatment.

People with type 2 diabetes cannot use the insulin that is made by the pancreas correctly. In this case the body will secrete more insulin in order to overcome the body’s resistance and when the body is no longer able to make insulin they end up with type 2 diabetes. About ninety percent of the population with this disease has the type 2. Normally, it affects adults over the age of forty-five but it can occasionally occur in children.

Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by eating a proper diet and exercising regularly to help maintain a healthy weight. Many patients will be required to take prescription medications and at least half will need to take insulin shots to help control the blood sugar levels in their body.

Some pregnant women will get gestational diabetes during the second half of their term but this will normally disappear after the baby is born. Pre-diabetes is very common. This means that a person has blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not so high that they are considered to have this disease.

Problems Associated With Diabetes

There are a number of different problems associated with diabetes. The high blood sugar levels caused by this medical condition can eventually cause kidney problems. It can also increase your risk of heart attack and stroke by raising your blood pressure.

There are several ways that a person can help to prevent diabetes. Start by exercising regularly, eat healthy and don’t abuse alcohol. If you smoke, stop and try to keep other medical conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure under control.

For more information, see diabetes and kidney problems.