Question

please write a preface for my school project about diabetes

Answer 1

Insulin-dependant is caused by damage to the pancreas.  The pancreas contains beta cells, which make insulin.  With Type I diabetes, the deficiency of insulin is due to a decline in the number of beta cells the pancreas contains.  It appears that certain genes make Type I diabetics more susceptible, but a triggering factor (usually a viral infection) sets it off.  In most people with Type I diabetes, the immune system makes a mistake, attacking the beta cells and causing them to die.  Without the beta cells, you cannot produce insulin.  Glucose then builds up in the blood and causes diabetes.

Type I diabetes exhibits the following warning signs:

Losing weight without tryingAn increased need to urinateIncreased hungerIncreased thirstTrouble seeingFeeling tired and/orGoing into a coma

For Type I diabetics, treatment usually consists of a healthy diet, exercise, and insulin shots to replace the insulin that your body no longer produces.    Most insulin-dependent diabetics test their blood at least four times per day to monitor their blood’s glucose level. This is necessary to keep their blood glucose within certain limits.  If blood glucose is not monitored, and if insulin levels are not kept in check, three things may happen:1.   Ketoacidosis – occurs when your blood glucose levels are highly elevated, by either eating too much or taking too little insulin, by stress or illness.  In this case, there is too little insulin in the blood.  Your body then begins breaking down fat for energy, producing chemicals called ketones.  Ketones can make you throw up, have difficulty breathing, cause excessive thirst, cause dry, itchy skin, or even cause coma.

2.   Hypoglycemia – occurs when blood glucose levels become too low.  It can be cause by taking too much insulin, eating too little, skipping meals, eating at the wrong time, exercising too intensely or for too long, or by drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.  If your blood glucose is too low you may feel hungry, confused, tired, shaky or nervous. 

3.   Complications – elevated glucose levels in the blood over time can hurt your organs.  Diabetes can damage kidneys, eyes and nerves, and makes heart and blood vessel disease more likely.  Diabetics can defend themselves from complications by keeping their glucose levels under control.

Type II Diabetes
(a.k.a. Adult Onset Diabetes, Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes)

Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, with about 90% of diabetes falling into the Type II category.  With Type II diabetes, glucose builds up in the blood – not because not enough insulin is present, but probably because cells lose their insulin receptors and become less sensitive to insulin.  Type II  diabetes usually (though not always) occurs in individuals who are over 40 years of age who are overweight.

Type II diabetes produces mild symptoms, and can be controlled with a healthy diet, exercise and weight loss.  Type II diabetics should also monitor their glucose levels to be sure they are maintaining healthy levels.  In some cases, weight loss, diet and exercise are not enough to control the glucose levels.  In those cases, your physician may control your diabetes by prescribing diabetes pills or insulin shots.

Type II diabetes can cause three types of problems:

High Blood Sugar – high glucose levels in the blood are most likely when you’re sick or under a lot of stress.  High blood sugar can cause you to have a headache, blurry vision, excessive thirst and an increased need to urinate, and cause dry, itchy skin.  Though less of a problem with Type II diabetes, ketones can build up in the blood when Type II diabetics have symptoms of high blood sugar, or when they are sick.Low Blood Sugar – When blood sugar falls to low you may feel tired, shaky, nervous, hungry or confused.  It may be caused by taking too much diabetes medicine, eating too little or skipping meals, exercising too intensely or for too long, or from drinking alcohol without eating. Complications – Elevated blood glucose over many years can hurt organs, including the eyes, kidneys, and eyes.  It can also make heart and blood vessel disease more likely.  The best defense against complications is a careful monitoring of blood glucose, a healthy diet and exercise.Risks for DiabetesIndividuals with parents or siblings with diabetesPeople over the age of 45People who are overweightPeople who do not exercise regularlyPeople with low HDL cholesterol or high triglyceridesCertain racial and ethnic groups (African Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans)Women who had gestational diabetes or who had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more