Type 1 diabetes (DM1) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. This happens as

a mistake, because the organism identifies them as foreign bodies. Its action is an autoimmune response. This kind of reaction also

occurs with other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and thyroid diseases.

DM1 appears when the organism stops producing insulin (or when it only produces a very small amount of it). When that happens,

it is necessary to take insulin to live and stay healthy. People need daily insulin injections to regulate the sugar metabolism. Without

insulin, the glucose cannot reach the cells, which need it to burn it and turn it into energy. With time, high levels of glucose accumulated

in the blood can affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, or the heart.

Most people with DM1 develop large amounts of self-antibodies, which circulate in the bloodstream for some time before the disease

is diagnosed. Antibodies are proteins generated in the organism to destroy germs or viruses. Self-antibodies are antibodies with

“bad behavior,” that is, they attack the person’s own body tissues. In cases of DM1, self-antibodies can attack the pancreatic cells

that produce insulin.

It is unclear why people develop DM1. It is known that in some cases people are born with genes that give them a predisposition for

the disease. But other people have the same genes and do not have diabetes. It could be something from the organism itself, or

an external cause, such as an emotional loss. Or it could also be some sort of aggression by certain kinds of viruses like the coxsackie

virus. Another piece of information is that, in general, it is more frequent in people under 35 years of age, but it is worth mentioning that

it could appear at any age.

It is known that type 2 diabetes has a greater hereditary factor than type 1. In addition, it is largely related to obesity and sedentariness.

It is estimated that 60 to 90% of the people with the disease are obese. The incidence is higher after the age of 40, but can happen at

any age.

One of its peculiarities is the continuous production of insulin by the pancreas. The problem lies in the muscle and fat cells’ incapability

to uptake it. For many different reasons, their cells are not able to metabolize enough glucose from the bloodstream. This is an anomaly

called “insulin resistance.”

Type 2 diabetes is approximately 8 to 10 times more common than type 1 diabetes and might respond to treatment with a diet and

physical exercise. Some other times it may require oral medication, and ultimately, a combination of both with insulin.