How does diabetes occur?
When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves any glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy.
However, in those with diabetes, the body is unable to break down glucose into energy. There are two types of diabetes - type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs in about 10-15% of all cases of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin (autoimmune response). Only a small number of people have this genetic risk.
What happens in the body with Type 1 diabetes?
The pancreas no longer makes insulin and so the glucose cannot enter the muscle and other body cells, resulting in a rapid build up of glucose and ketones in the blood stream. If glucose cannot be used by the cells, the body breaks down fat as an alternative energy source. By-products of fat breakdown are chemical called ketones.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes generally occurs in people age 40 and older.
In some high-risk groups, it can occur in childhood.
In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot produce enough insulin or the insulin secreted in unable to do its job properly. The majority of diabetics, about 90%, suffer from this type of diabetes.
Causes and people at risk
The causes of type 2 diabetes are becoming better understood. A genetic predisposition, being overweight and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Aboriginals, Latino-Americans, Asians and people of African descent are more likely to develop the disease than other ethnic groups. It is now known that several genes are linked to type 2 diabetes.
However, in those with diabetes, the body is unable to break down glucose into energy. There are two types of diabetes - type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs in about 10-15% of all cases of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin (autoimmune response). Only a small number of people have this genetic risk.
What happens in the body with Type 1 diabetes?
The pancreas no longer makes insulin and so the glucose cannot enter the muscle and other body cells, resulting in a rapid build up of glucose and ketones in the blood stream. If glucose cannot be used by the cells, the body breaks down fat as an alternative energy source. By-products of fat breakdown are chemical called ketones.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes generally occurs in people age 40 and older.
In some high-risk groups, it can occur in childhood.
In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot produce enough insulin or the insulin secreted in unable to do its job properly. The majority of diabetics, about 90%, suffer from this type of diabetes.
Causes and people at risk
The causes of type 2 diabetes are becoming better understood. A genetic predisposition, being overweight and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Aboriginals, Latino-Americans, Asians and people of African descent are more likely to develop the disease than other ethnic groups. It is now known that several genes are linked to type 2 diabetes.
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