Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly control the amount of sugar in the blood. As a result, the level of sugar in the blood increases. This condition many occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use it properly. Simply, diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. There are two main types of diabetes. These are Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

In Type 1 diabetes the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, causing a severe lack of insulin. This is thought to be the result of the body attacking and destroying its own cells in the pancreas - known as an autoimmune reaction.

It's not clear why this happens, but a number of explanations and possible triggers of this reaction have been proposed. These include:

• Infection with a specific virus or bacteria;
• Exposure to food-borne chemical toxins; and
• Exposure as a very young infant to cow's milk, where an as yet unidentified component of this triggers the autoimmune reaction in the body.

(However, these are only hypotheses and are by no means proven causes.)

Type 2 diabetes is believed to develop when:

• The receptors on cells in the body that normally respond to the action of insulin fail to be stimulated by it - this is known as insulin resistance. In response to this more insulin may be produced, and this over-production exhausts the insulin-manufacturing cells in the pancreas;
• There is simply insufficient insulin available
• The insulin that is available may be abnormal and therefore doesn't work properly.

The other risk factors increase the chances of someone developing Type 2 diabetes:

• Increasing age
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity.
• Heredity is a major cause of diabetes.

Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes- Daily injections of insulin, together with dietary control and regular blood glucose testing, form the basis of an effective treatment program. Insulin mimics the body's own production of the natural hormone. Delivery by injection and careful storage conditions are required.

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes- Dietary control is often sufficient in treating this condition. Weight reduction, an exercise program, and regular blood glucose testing, combined with oral medications, may be required to lower sugar levels. In some cases, insulin may be necessary to assist with this problem.

About the Author: Rosy Parker is an associated editor to the website http://www.getmedix.com. Getmedix is committed to provide visitors with complete information on weight loss, obesity, healthy recipes, obesity diseases, and latest news, asthma. Your feedback & comments will be highly appreciated at rosy.parker@gmail.com

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