For years, scientists have studied the pancreas, and still, they have yet to discover a solid reason as to why the pancreas stops producing insulin or produces ineffective insulin. However, science has discovered a mutant gene handed down from our ancestors that may be the cause. Other possible causes for Diabetes include:
Potbelly/Over Weight Stress/Anxiety Infections of the Pancreas, Genetics Inactivity Cholesterol/Triglyceride Elevations
It is interesting to note that the risk factors for heart disease and diabetes are both one in the same.
Insulin is a hormone the pancreas secretes. As the glucose levels in the body rise, the insulin is converted into energy the body uses as fuel. In a diabetic, the pancreas produces either insufficient amounts of insulin or produces insulin that is ineffective in the body. Symptoms of this include polyuria or frequent urination as well as polydipsia or excessive thirst.
How the body reacts to insufficient insulin:
Resistance to insulin is described as the body producing sufficient amounts of insulin but is not using appropriately. Another type of diabetes is where the insulin produced does not allow for glucose levels to be raised and the body can not convert it into much needed energy.
Is it curable?
Presently no, but there are several exciting and experimental procedures being performed that are showing high success rates. These procedures include;
Transplant of Pancreas: This procedure is for anyone with uncontrollable Type 1 DM diabetes, but have a functioning kidney. In patients who underwent this procedure, insulin injections were no longer required to keep them alive and the risk factors with diabetes were greatly decreased.
Kidney/Pancreas Transplant: Reserved for patients who have substantial kidney failure as well as uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes. This surgical procedure allows the patient to be free of dialysis treatments and insulin injections. Patients who avoid rejecting their organs in the first year after surgery have a greater likelihood of non-rejection for 10 years and more.
Islet Transplants: This procedure is currently in clinical trials and involves replacing the bad Islets Of Langerhans with good islets from a deceased donor. Islets of Langerhans are the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. The islets are extracted from the donor pancreas and injected into the liver of the receiver. The cells start manufacturing insulin which works to regulate blood sugar levels.
In a study of patients who received islet transplants, five out of thirty-six still remain free of the need for insulin two years after the procedure. Although these procedures are experimental and not yet approved by the FDA, they have all shown positive results.
The search for better treatments and a cure for diabetes are on-going, and it is hoped that a cure will present itself in the very near future. But until then, lifestyle changes will help those who are living with diabetes to live a long and productive life in spite of having the disease.
