Juvenile Diabetes

Running head: JUVENILE DIABETES

Juvenile Diabetes

Bonny Tiley

DeVry University, BIOS 260

The clinical description of diabetes is a disease that is in two primary forms known as: Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition, and the more common type, and there is Type 2 which is non–insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, 2012). The focus will mainly be on Type 1 Diabetes but there will also be a few caparisons with Type 2. Both types of diabetes impair the body's ability to use food properly (Mayo Clinic (1), 2012). Furthermore, the normal hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, helps the body convert food into energy; basically this disease hinders that process. Thus people with diabetes; either their pancreas doesn’t make insulin because of cell destruction in the pancreas as in Type 1; or in Type 2 the pancreas resists insulin effects or the insulin production is not enough (A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, 2012). The cause of Type 1 as said, is due to the body’s destruction of pancreatic cells, (beta cells) it is therefore known as an autoimmune disease. According to Mayo Clinic the exact culprit is unknown but there are several speculated factors that may be contributors to Type 1 Diabetes; e.g. genetics, exposure to certain viruses and perhaps geography. Moreover, Diabetes affects approximately 5% of the U.S. population, the incidence is equal in both genders and the escalation of Type 1 rises with age but typically strikes the young child, thus its origin’s name derivative “Juvenile” diabetes. Nonetheless, the disease onset is rapid in Type 1, there is no cure and it is life threatening (Mayo Clinic (1), 2012). Type 2 Diabetes is life threatening as well and according to Mayo Clinic there is no cure but it is preventable by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising (Mayo Clinic (2), 2012). Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be controlled. Research has shown that maintaining good control...