Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Shilo Cobb

H2200, Section #

Unit 4 Capstone project: Hannah

Kaplan University

06/13/2014

Definition of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that effects a person’s metabolism by making the

pancreas produce little or no insulin which effects glucose (sugar) from turning into energy as it normally should.

What Causes Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?

There is no known cause for type 1 diabetes mellitus. Though there is believed to be a link

to genetics of who may develop it. “certain gene variants that carry instructions for making

proteins called human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) on white blood cells are linked to the risk of

developing type 1 diabetes.” (NDIC 2013 09 09). There’s research indicating I may also be

linked to food, viruses, toxins, and an early exposure to cow’s milk as an infant.

How insulin works in the body and how it is effected by type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Normally the pancreas (a gland) produces a hormone called insulin, with the help of islet cells.

The pancreas secrets insulin into the bloodstream where it allows glucose (sugar) to enter your

cells. Glucose is a source of energy for cells. The liver stores glucose and turns it into glycogen.

The glycogen gets turned back into glucose to be secreted once the liver detects the body’s

glucose levels are low, which is when insulin levels are low.

The problem Type 1 diabetes mellitus causes for this system is it makes the immune system

attack and destroy islet cells, this makes the production of insulin from the pancreas little or

none. Resulting in glucose unable to...