Diabetes is a serious condition, which has reached epidemic proportion both in United States and in European countries. About 20 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes; among them, many are children younger than 14.
Identification
Diabetes is a condition related to insulin, which is a hormone that assists the body in transforming sugar and other nutrients to energy. In the absence of insulin, the level of sugar will increase substantially. Diabetes occurs when the body produces very little insulin or no insulin at all (type 1 diabetes) or when the cells in the body become resistant to insulin (mostly associated with type2 diabetes).
Function
Many factors contribute to the onset of diabetes. These include both genetic and environmental factors. Having relatives or family members diagnosed with diabetes creates a strong risk for diabetes. For instance, a family history of diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by five to 10 times.
However, diabetes can develop in people who have no family history of diabetes. Researchers have identified several genes associated with elevated risk of diabetes. For instance, type 1 diabetes is associated with genes DR3 and DR4 in the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) region. It should be noted that carrying these genes only makes a person more susceptible to diabetes. The presence of other factors is necessary to trigger the onset of diabetes. These factors include obesity, exposure to certain foods or viral infection.
Types
It is believed that type 1 diabetes stems from the gradual destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas due to autoimmune response. The beta cells are responsible for production of insulin in the body. The process of destroying beta cells may span a period of months to years, during which there is no symptom. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is driven mostly by the combination of genetic factor, obesity and lack of exercise.
Considerations
One should inform his doctor if he has a first-degree relative (mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter) diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, obesity or high cholesterol levels.
Expert Insight
Other conditions may lead to diabetes such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytoma and hyperthyroidism. Pregnancy also might lead to gestational diabetes in about 5 percent of all pregnant women.
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