Diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects the body’s ability to use glucose caused by a lack of insulin production. The two main types are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes which may have similar symptoms but very different causes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a complete lack of the insulin hormone while type 2 diabetes is caused by either an insulin resistance or ineffective insulin production. Both types result in high glucose levels in the bloodstream, also known as hyperglycemia which is what will lead to the many symptoms and negative effects of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood or in early adulthood and occurs when the immune system of a patient responds to insulin-producing cells by destroying them. This is because T cells (or T lymphocytes), which plays an important role in the immune system, destroys the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, which contain beta cells in charge of producing insulin. This process occurs when certain receptors on the cell surface called T-cell receptors interact with molecules on the target cell, and recognize the cells as harm to the body which causes it to be destroyed. Eventually, this leads to the body not being able to produce insulin properly. Without insulin, the constant rises of glucose from food cannot be regulated like it would in a healthy body; therefore those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aren't able to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is most commonly developed in people over the age of 40, but can also occur in all ages. It is commonly seem in obese individuals. Unlike type 1 diabetes where there is no insulin production at all, those with type 2 diabetes will still produce insulin. They develop type 2 diabetes when either the amount of insulin produced is not enough for the body’s needs or they have an insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when insulin levels are very high over prolonged periods of time which causes the body’s sensitivity to normal amounts of insulin to decrease. This will cause body cells to not be able to absorb glucose from the bloodstream, resulting in high blood-glucose levels.
Since body cells are not receiving any glucose, the body will try to take in or receive more glucose in many ways, which show in the symptoms of someone with type 2 diabetes. One way in which the body tries to produce more glucose is by secreting glucagon from pancreatic alpha cells like it would during starvation mode as a response to try to absorb more glucose which it needs. Glucagon will act on the liver and muscles where glucose has been previously stored as glycogen, to promote gluconeogenesis which releases glucose into the bloodstream. As a result, insulin resistance causes high blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes.
Since body cells are not receiving any glucose, the body will try to take in or receive more glucose in many ways, which show in the symptoms of someone with type 2 diabetes. One way in which the body tries to produce more glucose is by secreting glucagon from pancreatic alpha cells like it would during starvation mode as a response to try to absorb more glucose which it needs. Glucagon will act on the liver and muscles where glucose has been previously stored as glycogen, to promote gluconeogenesis which releases glucose into the bloodstream. As a result, insulin resistance causes high blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes.