| Diabetes is characterized by the inability of the body to | | | | Type 2 diabetes, sometimes known as adult onset |
| control it's blood sugar level. High blood sugar is known | | | | diabetes because it was thought to occur in later life |
| as hyperglycemia and is controlled by the hormone | | | | (although this is changing) is caused by insulin |
| insulin. So diabetes interferes with the creation and | | | | resistance. The beta cells in the pancreas continue to |
| secretion of insulin. | | | | produce insulin but the body needs more insulin than |
| There are three types of diabetes and they disrupt the | | | | secreted to process the glucose or the insulin is less |
| normal secretion of insulin in different ways. | | | | effective in converting glucose into glycogen and thus |
| The first type of diabetes is known as Type 1 | | | | reducing the blood sugar level. |
| diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile | | | | Again, it is not completely clear why Type 2 diabetes |
| diabetes . It is often called juvenile diabetes to indicate | | | | occurs but being overweight is a common condition of |
| the age that most people acquire it. It is unusual to | | | | most Type 2 diabetic people. The common |
| acquire Type 1 diabetes past your mid 20's. | | | | assumption is that a lifestyle of eating unhealthy foods |
| Although it is not known how you get Type 1 diabetes, | | | | and not taking regular or adequate exercise could |
| it is understood what causes the condition and some | | | | contribute to causing this disease. |
| theories about why it occurs. | | | | It is believed that hereditary genes may predispose a |
| Type 1 Diabetes is known as an autoimmune disorder. | | | | person to acquire Type 2 diabetes but most advice on |
| This means that the body destroys the cells that | | | | avoiding this condition is to lose weight, eat healthily and |
| produce insulin because it thinks that they are harmful | | | | do more exercise. |
| to the body. These cells are called the beta cells found | | | | Gestational diabetes is acquired during pregnancy and |
| in the islet cells that are located in the pancreas. | | | | is a consequence of hormonal changes in the body |
| Because the insulin producing cells are destroyed blood | | | | during the pregnancy and, again, hereditary genes. |
| sugar levels cannot be regulated by the body so insulin | | | | Gestational diabetes generally stops after childbirth. |
| has to be injected into the body to perform this | | | | Type 2 diabetes is the most common of the 3 types |
| function. | | | | of diabetes. It is estimated that 90% of diabetics suffer |
| Type 1 diabetes lasts for life and insulin replacement | | | | from this form of the ailment. It also seems that there |
| therapy must continue throughout. It is thought that a | | | | is more data on how to avoid and prevent this |
| combination of genetic and environmental factors | | | | condition than any of the others. Exercising more |
| cause type 1 diabetes. People are thought to inherit | | | | regularly and eating a healthy, balanced diet can |
| genes that will tell the body to destroy beta cells. This, | | | | significantly reduce the chances of contracting the |
| combined with exposure to poor diets, air pollution or | | | | disease. If you already have it, exercise and healthy |
| poor quality environments could cause the disease to | | | | eating can make it less intrusive to your lifestyle. |
| occur. Research continues. | | | | |