Type I & Type II Diabetes
Biology: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 15.2.5
Type I Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health condition where sufferers cannot properly control their blood glucose concentration. Type I diabetes sufferers cannot produce insulin.
Cause
- Type I diabetes is caused when the beta cells in the pancreas are attacked by the immune system.
- The beta cells become damaged and can no longer produce insulin.
- Some people are more genetically predisposed to type I diabetes than others. It normally develops during childhood.
Hyperglycaemia
- Eating causes the blood glucose concentration to increase.
- People with type I diabetes cannot produce insulin to counteract the increased levels of glucose so the blood glucose level remains high.
- This is called hyperglycaemia.
- Hyperglycaemia can lead to death if it is not treated.
Treatment
- Insulin therapy is used to treat type I diabetes.
- Insulin is injected regularly during the day or an insulin pump can be used continuously.
- Too much insulin can cause a fall in glucose levels called hypoglycaemia so insulin therapy must be carefully monitored.
Diet
- Controlling intake of glucose is also important to prevent a sudden increase in glucose levels.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes sufferers don't produce enough insulin or cannot respond to insulin. Type II usually develops later in life than type I.
Cause
- Type 2 diabetes is correlated with obesity, lack of exercise, age and family history.
- Type 2 diabetes develops when the beta cells in the pancreas no longer produce enough insulin or when the muscle and liver cells stop responding to insulin.
Hyperglycaemia
- Type 2 diabetes can lead to hyperglycaemia. This is when blood glucose levels are higher than the optimum level.
Treatment
- Type 2 diabetes is treated by eating a healthy diet and exercising.
- In some cases, medication is used to lower glucose levels or in rare cases, insulin injections are used.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
The food industry has been criticised for its role in contributing to the rise in obesity and consequently type 2 diabetes. Initiatives have been introduced to tackle this growing problem.
Healthy lifestyle
- Health advisors recommend a lifestyle that involves:
- A balanced diet that is low in salt, fat and sugar.
- Regular exercise.
Change4life
- The NHS 'Change4life' campaign has been introduced.
- The campaign educates on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
- The campaign is designed to decrease the risk of developing type II diabetes.
Food content
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that the food industry should help combat the rise in obesity and diabetes by:
- Reducing levels of sugar, saturated fats and salt in processed food products.
- Developing healthy, alternative products.
- Having clear and simple labelling on food items showing the nutritional content (e.g. fat, sugar and salt content).
- Promoting and market healthier foods, especially to children.
Test yourself on Type I & Type II Diabetes
Which of the following statements about type I diabetes are true?
Which of the following is a form of treatment for type I diabetes?
Which of the following is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes?
Which of the following statements about type II diabetes are true?
Which of the following is NOT a typical treatment for type II diabetes?