diabetes

• Type one - insulin dependant:

  • Beta cells in islets of Langerhans stop producing insulin
  • Possibly from an autoimmune response. 
  • Symptoms develop quickly 
  • Symptoms are obvious 
• Type one symptoms:

  • Weight loss 
  • Frequent urination 
  • Irritability 
  • Blurry vision 
  • Fruity breath 
• Type one diabetes is controlled by insulin injections 

  • If insulin was taken orally it would be digested 
  • Blood glucose concentration is monitored and dose of insulin matched to glucose intake 
• Type two diabetes:

  • Glycoprotein receptors on body cells lose receptiveness to insulin 
  • Develops slowly
  • Less severe symptoms 
  • Late onset and found in overweight people. 
• Type 2 symptoms:

  • Blurred vision 
  • Constant hunger 
  • Numbness of hands and feet 
  • Frequent urination 
  • Fungal infections 
• Controlling type 2:

  • Regulating diet and exercise - reduce carbohydrate diet 
  • Drugs to stimulate insulin production or slow rate of glucose absorption from gut 
  • Insulin injections