Diabetes

881 Words2 Pages

Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body produces too little insulin (Type One Diabetes) or can’t use available insulin efficiently ( Type Two Diabetes). Insulin is a hormone vital to helping the body use digested food for growth and energy.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about 17 million Americans have diabetes and every year about 1 million more age 20 or older are diagnosed with the disorder. People who are overweight, do not exercise, and are 30 years or older are more likely to get the disease (especially type 2 diabetes). People who are also of African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander American heritage are more at risk to get the disease than people who are Caucasian.
Type one diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune attacks a certain part or system of the body. In this diabetes the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells causing insulin levels in the body to become low. Scientist are unsure of what causes the immune system to attack the cells but believe the reasons may be hereditary or viral.
Type two diabetes is the more common of the two. It is the one that is growing the most in the United States because of the country’s obesity problem. In this type of diabetes the pancreas (th...

More about Diabetes

Open Document