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explain the concept of diabetes, its causes and classification in the human body.

Question

Explain the concept of diabetes, its causes and classification in the human body.

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Solution

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, that acts like a key to let glucose from the food we eat pass from the blood stream into the cells in the body to produce energy. All carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose in the blood. Insulin helps glucose get into the cells.

Not being able to produce insulin or use it effectively leads to raised glucose levels in the blood (known as hyperglycaemia). Over the long-term high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues.

There are several types of diabetes:

  1. Type 1 diabetes: This type is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections for life and must have regular checks to ensure their blood glucose levels are balanced.

  2. Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common type of diabetes. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't make enough insulin. In the early stages, it can often be managed through diet and exercise, but medication and insulin may become necessary as the disease progresses.

  3. Gestational diabetes: This type occurs in pregnant women and is usually temporary. However, it does increase the risk of both mother and child developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

  4. Other specific types of diabetes: These are caused by specific genetic conditions, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses.

The exact cause of diabetes is unknown, but genetics, environmental factors, obesity and lack of exercise appear to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. For type 1 diabetes, the cause is an autoimmune reaction. Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make your body less able to use insulin.

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