Type 1 Diabetes Research Paper

Words: 1103
Pages: 5

Type one diabetes is usually developed in childhood. It is caused by the loss of function of the insulin secreting cells of the pancreas (beta cells), which are destroyed in autoimmune reaction when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks these cells. The beta cells no longer produce enough insulin due to the small number that is left. Diabetes results in the inability of the body to control blood glucose. When someone has diabetes, due to the absence of insulin, many of the cells in the body cannot use glucose and their BGL can rise to 10 times the normal. Which is called hyperglycaemia. These body cells need glucose to perform their functions as it is their energy source.
Type one diabetes is a condition in which a person’s BGL’s cannot be maintained, this therefore means homeostasis is not being maintained. With type 1 diabetes, just like any other person, they obtain glucose through the food and then absorb the glucose into their bloodstream. It is here that the problem begins for someone with type 1 diabetes, as the beta cells in the pancreas are not able to secrete much or any insulin. Insulin is needed though, as it decreases the concentration of glucose in the blood. When BGL’s rise insulin is supposed to be secreted from the beta cells, it then should act as a signal to triggers cells in the body to take up the glucose as fuel. When this signal is not sent out many cells in the
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DKA occurs because when cells in our bodies are not receiving enough sugar, they do not get enough energy. Although there may be plenty of glucose in the bloodstream, there is not enough insulin to convert the glucose for use in the cells as it is not being produced by the beta cells. The body needs energy, so it starts breaking down muscle and fat for energy. When the body breaks down these cells, fatty acids (ketones) are produced. This causes an unbalance with our electrolyte system, which leads to