11 Diabetes
Angelica Larraga; Jocelin Flores; and Crystal Guzman
Introduction
The goal of this chapter is to provide an easy understanding of Diabetes. This disease can cause complications that can lead to death if not managed properly. The chapter will cover the two types of diabetes known as Type 1 and Type 2, and it will elaborate on each one of them. You will better understand this disease, how it is diagnosed, how it is managed, and what complications result from poorly controlled management.
What is Diabetes?
The two types of Diabetes this chapter will cover are Type 1 and Type 2. The pathophysiology of them differs from each other, but they both result in similar complications. With Type 1 Diabetes, there is no insulin production from the pancreas, which results in high blood sugar levels known as hyperglycemia. In Type 2 Diabetes, there is some insulin production; however, it is not utilized properly by the body cells resulting in hyperglycemia.
Now, you may be asking yourself, what is insulin? Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas’ beta cells and is secreted when there are high blood glucose levels in the body. Insulin regulates blood glucose levels by guiding glucose into cells, specifically the liver, muscle, and adipose tissues. When there is an excess of glucose, the liver stores it as glycogen for later use.
As mentioned, Type 1 Diabetes is when there is no insulin production. This is known as insulin deficiency, and this form of diabetes is considered an autoimmune disease because there is destruction to the pancreas’ beta cells. This results in insulin dependency because individuals with this type of diabetes will require exogenous insulin to control their glucose levels. Type 2 Diabetes is not considered an autoimmune disease because there is no destruction to the pancreas. Type 2 Diabetes is insulin resistance; the body’s cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin. This type of Diabetes develops from obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy dietary intake, and it was commonly seen in older adults over the age of 40. Still, it is now seen in young children and adolescents due to the increased incidence of obesity. These individuals do not necessarily require insulin, but if they do not manage their Diabetes appropriately, they can become insulin-dependent.
How do I know if I am at risk for Diabetes?
Several modifiable and non-modifiable factors can increase your risk of diabetes. Non-modifiable risk factors include age, hereditary, gender, and family history. Modifiable risk factors can be altered, including obesity/overweight, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking.
What causes Diabetes?
The cause of Type 1 diabetes is not quite well known. Still, there may be a relationship between genetics and environmental factors that may have triggered the immune system to attack itself, specifically the pancreas’ beta cells.
The cause for Type 2 diabetes is unknown, but there is a belief that there is a gen