The pancreas is an important organ found in the body. The Islets of Langerhans, found in the pancreas, contain insulin producing cells called beta cells. Insulin is a hormone that reduces blood sugar levels by moving glucose into cells in the body. In diabetes, blood glucose levels remain high due to insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. There are different types of diabetes and they differ based on their causative factors.
Types of Diabetes
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that there are three main types of diabetes--type 1 and 2 diabetes as well as gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production and the need for sufferers of this type of diabetes to be on insulin therapy. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body does not utilize insulin properly. In this case, the body does produce insulin. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy.
Type 1 Diabetes
The role of the immune system in the body is to attack and destroy organisms or entities that can bring harm to the body. Sometimes, the immune system mistakes parts of the body as entities that need to be attacked. When this happens, the condition is called an autoimmune disease. "Diabetes For Dummies," written by Alan L. Rubin notes that type 1 diabetes is one such autoimmune disease. It occurs because the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. In the absence of insulin, glucose builds up in the blood and consequently, diabetes occurs.
Type 2 Diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin as usual but the body basically ignores the insulin, causing glucose to build up in the blood. This type of diabetes typically happens later in life. The Mayo Clinic reports that there is currently no explanation as to to cause of type 2 diabetes. Despite this fact, the development of this type of diabetes can be linked to several factors. Obesity, a family history of type 2 diabetes, inactivity and race are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans and American Indians are believed to have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people from other races.
Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman who has never had diabetes develops it during the course of her pregnancy. It is caused by the physiological activities associated with pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones that are needed for the proper growth and development of the fetus. Theses hormones have other effects apart from their primary ones. One of such effect is preventing insulin from doing its job and increased glucose production. This then leads to gestational diabetes. However, the disorder disappears once the baby is born. "Diabetes For Dummies," says that half of the women who develop gestational diabetes, develop type 2 diabetes after 15 years of having diabetes during pregnancy. The test for gestational diabetes is usually given when a pregnancy is between 24 and 28 weeks old.
Complications
Diabetes can occur as a complication of other diseases. Any disease that disrupts pancreatic function can decrease or eliminate insulin production. Surgical removal of the pancreas and pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, can cause diabetes. Some hormonal disorders can also cause diabetes. Cushing's disease, a disorder caused by excess production of cortisol, an adrenal hormone, can lead to diabetes because cortisol stimulates the body to produce more glucose and inhibits the action of insulin.
References
- The Mayo Clinic: Diabetes- Causes
- "Diabetes For Dummies" Alan L. Rubin; 2008
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetes Overview
