Like the common cold, doctors are uncertain how type 1 diabetes is caused, but many think 90% of cases are due to the same viruses that cause the common cold, and several viruses have been identified as those possibly responsible. Therefore, for someone who has certain factors in their chromosomes, type 1 diabetes can be contracted when someone literally sneezes on them!
The 10% of people who do not contract type 1 diabetes in this way, are thought to suffer from an autoimmune disease, which breaks down the individual's beta cells.
Here are the details.
Autoimmune disease is a malfunction of the immune system. The immune system tracks down intruders into the body, viruses for example, and destroys them. However, in the case of type 1 diabetes, if the immunce system malfunctions and in this case thinks that the hormone insulin is an unwanted intruder and destroys it, type 1 diabetes is the result.
Also, type 1 diabetes is more prevalent in people who have abnormalities in their DNA. It has been found that certain characteristics in chromosomes are present, which are not present in people who do not have diabetes. It is possible to observe these abnormalities and wait to see if diabetes is later contracted, but simply having these abnormalities does not guarantee you will get diabetes.
Environment plays an important part in determining whether or not type 1 diabetes is contracted. This is tied in with the aforementioned common cold analogy.
It is believed that one or several viruses have the capacity to attack the pancreas, the gland that produces insulin. In turn that virus is then attacked by body's immune system. Now if the virus contains a substance that occurs naturally in the pancreas, the immune system's antibodies that fight the virus will then also affect this substance in the pancreas, with the same consequences as if the virus had attacked the pancreas directly.
There are many other areas under research at this time that are suspected of causing type 1 diabetes, but nothing is yet proven.
Meanwhile the many side effects of diabetes continue, something tio which the author refuses to give in to.
The 10% of people who do not contract type 1 diabetes in this way, are thought to suffer from an autoimmune disease, which breaks down the individual's beta cells.
Here are the details.
Autoimmune disease is a malfunction of the immune system. The immune system tracks down intruders into the body, viruses for example, and destroys them. However, in the case of type 1 diabetes, if the immunce system malfunctions and in this case thinks that the hormone insulin is an unwanted intruder and destroys it, type 1 diabetes is the result.
Also, type 1 diabetes is more prevalent in people who have abnormalities in their DNA. It has been found that certain characteristics in chromosomes are present, which are not present in people who do not have diabetes. It is possible to observe these abnormalities and wait to see if diabetes is later contracted, but simply having these abnormalities does not guarantee you will get diabetes.
Environment plays an important part in determining whether or not type 1 diabetes is contracted. This is tied in with the aforementioned common cold analogy.
It is believed that one or several viruses have the capacity to attack the pancreas, the gland that produces insulin. In turn that virus is then attacked by body's immune system. Now if the virus contains a substance that occurs naturally in the pancreas, the immune system's antibodies that fight the virus will then also affect this substance in the pancreas, with the same consequences as if the virus had attacked the pancreas directly.
There are many other areas under research at this time that are suspected of causing type 1 diabetes, but nothing is yet proven.
Meanwhile the many side effects of diabetes continue, something tio which the author refuses to give in to.
About the Author:
To beat the hypertension that Toby has as a diabetic, he likes to travel the outdoors, walking and camping. Visit his latest website concerning suitable tents for camping and discover hints and tips for suitable tents for camping.
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