Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2
- Diabetes is a condition in which the homeostatic control of blood glucose has failed or deteriorated
- The insulin function of diabetic individuals is disrupted which allows the glucose concentration in the blood to rise
- The kidneys are unable to filter out this excess glucose in the blood and so it often appears in the urine
- The increased glucose concentration also causes the kidneys to produce large volumes of urine, making the individual feel thirsty due to dehydration
- Glucose remains in the blood rather than entering the cells, so cellular respiration is reduced, resulting in fatigue
- If the blood glucose concentration reaches a dangerously high level after a meal then organ damage can occur
- There are two different types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2
Type 1 diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin to control blood glucose levels
- It normally begins in childhood due to an autoimmune response whereby the body’s immune system attacks the β cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
- The damage to the β cells means that insulin production can no longer take place, and blood glucose concentration can therefore not be regulated
- Type 1 diabetes is normally treated with regular blood tests, insulin injections and a modified diet
- Such a diet may involve a reduction in carbohydrate intake
Type 2 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1, and usually develops in older adults
- In type 2 diabetes the pancreas still produces insulin but the cell membrane receptors to which insulin binds have reduced in number or no longer respond
- The inability of cells to respond to insulin can be described as insulin resistance
- The pancreas will attempt to compensate for this by secreting more and more insulin; eventually insulin production will no longer be able to compensate for the reduced cellular response
- There is a reduced glucose uptake which leads to uncontrolled high blood glucose concentration
- Type 2 diabetes is managed by
- Medication to lower blood glucose
- A low carbohydrate diet
- Any food that is rapidly digested into sugar will cause a sudden, dangerous spike in blood sugar
- An exercise regime that lowers blood glucose
- Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes; the over-production of insulin in response to a high-carbohydrate diet triggers the development of insulin resistance
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes table
Type 1 | Type 2 | |
Cause | Inability of pancreas to produce insulin | Cells of the body become resistant to insulin |
Treatment | Monitoring blood glucose levels and injecting human insulin throughout the day (particularly after meals consumed) | Maintain a low-carbohydrate diet and regular exercise to reduce need for insulin |