§ Diabetes - Causes
§ TYPE 1 DIABETES: is caused by an auto-immune reaction (an
inappropriate immune response of the body against substances and tissues
normally present in the body), where the body's defense system attacks the
insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The pancreatic beta-cells are
progressively destroyed by the immune system. As a result, the body can no
longer produce the insulin it needs. The disease manifests, when less than 20%
of the original beta-cell mass exists.
After
initiation of insulin therapy, there is a temporary period of beta-cell
recovery (“honey moon period”). The reason why this occurs is not fully
understood. The number of people developing type 1 diabetes is increasing each
year. The reasons for this are still unclear but may be due to changes in
environmental risk factors, early events in the womb, diet early in life, or
viral infections.
The
disease can affect people of any age, but it usually occurs in children or
young adults. In older patients (LADA = late onset of autoimmune diabetes in
the adult), disease progression and manifestation can be slow.
§
§ Diabetes - Causes
§ TYPE 2 DIABETES
In
type 2 diabetes, the body is able to produce insulin but it is either not
sufficient or the body is not responding to its effects, leading to a build-up
of glucose in the blood.
§ GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS(GDM)
Women
who are first diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy are said to have
gestational diabetes mellitus. In women who develop diabetes during pregnancy,
it normally occurs later in pregnancy and arises because the body is unable to
make and use enough insulin needed for pregnancy.
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