What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a disease that causes the body’s own immune system to attack its own normal cells. In the case of diabetes, this means the body’s immune system attacks pancreatic cells. The pancreas is the organ responsible for producing insulin. Insulin acts as a “key” to open a cells door and let glucose in to be used as energy (fuel) by the body. Glucose is used for energy by the body and humans cannot survive without glucose. The pancreas can produce too little insulin or the insulin it does produce is not able to get the glucose from the blood stream into the cells.
Different types of diabetes:
- Type 1 – The pancreas produces no insulin.
- Type 2 – Most common. Either not enough insulin is produced, or the body is resistant to insulin, or a combination of both.
- Gestational – Occurs as a result of pregnancy and by being overweight or obese
- Pre – Diabetes – The beginning stages of diabetes.
Symptoms
| Type 1: | Type 2: |
| Weight loss | Frequent urination |
| Excessive Hunger/Thirst | Excessive Hunger/Thirst |
| Abnormally frequent urination | General feeling “unwell/sick”, flu like symptoms |
| Poor eyesight/blurred vision | Irritability |
| General feeling of “unwell” | Overweight/Obesity |
What are some causes?
| Type 1: | Type 2: |
| Autoimmune deficiency | Heredity |
| Heredity | Obesity |
| Virus attack | Age |
| Typically young when diagnosed (< 2 years) | Pregnancy |
| Drugs | |
| Stress |
Treatment
| Type 1 | Type 2 |
| Insulin injections | Insulin injections (only in advanced Type 2) |
| Oral medication | |
| Diet | |
| Exercise |
Long-term consequences of diabetes:
- Kidney failure
- Retinopathy (Eye disease)
- Neuropathy (Disease of the nerves)
- Amputation of limbs – particularly toes/feet
- At risk for heart disease and stroke
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, and should be used only as a supplement to, not a substitute for, professional medical advice.
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