During the course of many decades, scientists have labored over researching why the pancreas ceases to produce insulin or why the insulin it does produce is ineffective to the body. There is however one discovery. A mutant gene passed through the ages from our ancestors may be the cause of this phenomenon. Other possible causes include:
Potbelly/Over Weight Stress/Anxiety Infections of the Pancreas, Genetics Inactivity Cholesterol/Triglyceride Elevations
It is interesting to note that the risk factors for heart disease and diabetes are both one in the same.
Diabetes is due to insulin that is either insufficient or ineffective leading to increased blood glucose levels. This leads to symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst). Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. When glucose levels are elevated, insulin changes glucose into energy that the body can use for fuel.
Inefficient insulin and it's affect on the body:
If the pancreas is producing sufficient insulin but the body isn't using it properly, it is referred to as the body being resistant to the insulin. Another reaction is for the body to produce insufficient insulin which affects the glucose from being changed to energy which the body needs.
Is it curable?
Presently no, but there are several exciting and experimental procedures being performed that are showing high success rates. These procedures include;
Transplant of Pancreas: This procedure is for anyone with uncontrollable Type 1 DM diabetes, but have a functioning kidney. In patients who underwent this procedure, insulin injections were no longer required to keep them alive and the risk factors with diabetes were greatly decreased.
Pancreas and Kidney Transplant: This procedure is strictly for those patients suffering from Type 1 diabetes and are experiencing extreme kidney failure. After the surgery, patients no longer needed insulin injections or kidney dialysis. If the patient did not reject the organ transplants within the first year, their rate of success over the next ten years was highly increased.
Islet Transplants: This procedure is currently in clinical trials and involves replacing the bad Islets Of Langerhans with good islets from a deceased donor. Islets of Langerhans are the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. The islets are extracted from the donor pancreas and injected into the liver of the receiver. The cells start manufacturing insulin which works to regulate blood sugar levels.
Five out of thirty-six patients who received islet transplant surgery remain insulin injection free two years after the procedure. All of these surgeries are experimental and require further study as they are not yet approved by the FDA. However, their positive results bring new hope to fighting this deadly disease.
The search for better treatments and a cure for diabetes are on-going, and it is hoped that a cure will present itself in the very near future. But until then, lifestyle changes will help those who are living with diabetes to live a long and productive life in spite of having the disease.
Potbelly/Over Weight Stress/Anxiety Infections of the Pancreas, Genetics Inactivity Cholesterol/Triglyceride Elevations
It is interesting to note that the risk factors for heart disease and diabetes are both one in the same.
Diabetes is due to insulin that is either insufficient or ineffective leading to increased blood glucose levels. This leads to symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst). Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. When glucose levels are elevated, insulin changes glucose into energy that the body can use for fuel.
Inefficient insulin and it's affect on the body:
If the pancreas is producing sufficient insulin but the body isn't using it properly, it is referred to as the body being resistant to the insulin. Another reaction is for the body to produce insufficient insulin which affects the glucose from being changed to energy which the body needs.
Is it curable?
Presently no, but there are several exciting and experimental procedures being performed that are showing high success rates. These procedures include;
Transplant of Pancreas: This procedure is for anyone with uncontrollable Type 1 DM diabetes, but have a functioning kidney. In patients who underwent this procedure, insulin injections were no longer required to keep them alive and the risk factors with diabetes were greatly decreased.
Pancreas and Kidney Transplant: This procedure is strictly for those patients suffering from Type 1 diabetes and are experiencing extreme kidney failure. After the surgery, patients no longer needed insulin injections or kidney dialysis. If the patient did not reject the organ transplants within the first year, their rate of success over the next ten years was highly increased.
Islet Transplants: This procedure is currently in clinical trials and involves replacing the bad Islets Of Langerhans with good islets from a deceased donor. Islets of Langerhans are the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. The islets are extracted from the donor pancreas and injected into the liver of the receiver. The cells start manufacturing insulin which works to regulate blood sugar levels.
Five out of thirty-six patients who received islet transplant surgery remain insulin injection free two years after the procedure. All of these surgeries are experimental and require further study as they are not yet approved by the FDA. However, their positive results bring new hope to fighting this deadly disease.
The search for better treatments and a cure for diabetes are on-going, and it is hoped that a cure will present itself in the very near future. But until then, lifestyle changes will help those who are living with diabetes to live a long and productive life in spite of having the disease.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse and featured health writer on Clivir.com where she shares her knowledge about Diet for Diabetics and What Are The Causes Of Diabetes.
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