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Diabetes: Types, Causes, and Effects

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Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects the lives of millions of individuals all around the world. This disease affects both children and adults, totaling 25.8 million of individuals who are officially diagnosed, or on the verge of a diagnosis (ADA 2012). It causes the death of tens of thousands of people annually, and can lead to greater complications such as heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is initially caused by the imbalance of glucose in the body. Glucose is a sugar that the body's cells need in order to survive (PubMed 2012). It provides it with the energy necessary to allow the body to function on a day to day basis. Different factors lead to the uncontrollable nature of glucose that defines diabetes. In Type I Diabetes, the body does not have the ability to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone secreted from an organ called the pancreas which acts as a receptor on individual cells. This receptor allows for the glucose to enter the cells and provide it with the energy necessary to survive. When there is not enough insulin, then glucose does not enter the cells, and instead stays in the bloodstream. Artificial insulin shots need to be administered to individuals with Type I Diabetes in order to allow the glucose in their system to enter their cells where they need it (PubMed 2012). Another type of Diabetes is Type 2 Diabetes; this is the most common type of Diabetes. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 Diabetes is caused by the body's inability to respond to insulin. The

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