The Description of Diabetes

Answer 1

Diabetes in general refers to an autoimmune disease, which is when the body's immune system attacks it's own cells. It is thought to be when the beta cells attack the alpha cells in the pancreas, therefore destroying their ability to produce insulin. Diabetes is when the body does not produce any insulin or enough insulin to cover the food ingested. This is where an altered diet (for type 2) or insulin (type 1) comes into place. There is no known cause for diabetes, although one theory is that it is caused by a virus, which is a relatively new theory, not tested yet. As of now, there is no known cure either so a person diagnosed with diabetes has diabetes for the rest of their life, unless there is a cure found within their lifetime. Diabetics need to control their carboyhydrate intake (sugars, both complex and simple) and need to keep their blood glucose range (on average) between 60 and 120 (and that is for adults, children have a much larger range, even as far as 80-180). Any number below 60 should be treated with a quick sugar (juice for example, or candy) and any number above 250 should be treated with insulin (if the diabetic takes insulin injections) and should also be tested for ketones, which are the degradation of the organs in the body because the body is trying to come up with enough insulin in the stored resources to cover the carbohydrates consumed or in the blood. Ketones can become very harmful and if detected they should be flushed out by drinking a lot of fluid, preferably water, and also do not exercise if ketones are detected, it can just hurt the body more.

Answer 2

Gestational diabetes is diabetes during pregnancy. Hormones produced during pregnancy can interfere with a woman's insulin production. She may need more insulin to process the glucose in her blood. Higher levels of glucose can cause hyperglycemia. Some women with gestational diabetes can control their blood sugar through diet and exercise, others may be insulin-dependent.

Answer 3

insulin not produced or taken up by the body