The job of the human body’s immune system is to fight against infection by detecting and destroying foreign bacteria and viruses, usually to much success. However, the immune system isn’t perfect, and can make mistakes. Sometimes, the immune system confuses a friendly part of the body for a pathogen, and begins attacking its own cells (Petrov, 2011). When these events occur, the body has contracted what is known as an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders have been rapidly growing problems in today’s society, and a great deal of importance has been put towards understanding both their causes, and treatments. Diabetes mellitus in particular, is a chronic disorder in which the pancreas contains defects in insulin secretion and/or action.
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Studies conducted on homozygous twins have shown that genetic predisposition alone, is not sufficient in causing type 1 diabetes (Eiselein et al., 2004). Therefore, some sort of environmental “trigger” is required to cause the disorder. Specifically, these factors may include, but are not limited to: areas with better hygiene, lower infection rates, vaccinations, mild climates, viruses, and toxic chemicals (Leslie, 2013). Shorter durations of breast feeding, and premature consumption of cow milk, have also been shown to potentially have an effect in the development of type 1 diabetes (Eiselein et al., …show more content…
Type 1 diabetes is one of the most typical chronic diseases in children today, and is more common in certain areas over others (Leslie, 2013). Europe has a higher frequency of type 1 diabetes in comparison to other places in the world. Sardinia and Finland in particular, have the highest rates of type 1 diabetes cases (Gillespie, 2006). The general trend of type 1 diabetes points to an increase of its incidence, particularly in children under the age of 5 (Leslie, 2013). However, this may be due to a decrease in the age of the onset of type 1 diabetes, and not necessarily to a surge of occurrences in all age groups (Gillespie, 2006). Glucose. As the main source of energy for many of the tissues in the body, glucose holds much importance. It is metabolized during cellular respiration to release adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is necessary to carry out many bodily functions (Leslie, 2013). The homeostasis of glucose is maintained by the hormones glucagon, and insulin. It is urgent that the homeostasis of glucose be maintained in order to avoid complications. As is the problem with diabetes, the levels of glucose in the blood stream have an improper balance, ruining the desired
Studies conducted on homozygous twins have shown that genetic predisposition alone, is not sufficient in causing type 1 diabetes (Eiselein et al., 2004). Therefore, some sort of environmental “trigger” is required to cause the disorder. Specifically, these factors may include, but are not limited to: areas with better hygiene, lower infection rates, vaccinations, mild climates, viruses, and toxic chemicals (Leslie, 2013). Shorter durations of breast feeding, and premature consumption of cow milk, have also been shown to potentially have an effect in the development of type 1 diabetes (Eiselein et al., …show more content…
Type 1 diabetes is one of the most typical chronic diseases in children today, and is more common in certain areas over others (Leslie, 2013). Europe has a higher frequency of type 1 diabetes in comparison to other places in the world. Sardinia and Finland in particular, have the highest rates of type 1 diabetes cases (Gillespie, 2006). The general trend of type 1 diabetes points to an increase of its incidence, particularly in children under the age of 5 (Leslie, 2013). However, this may be due to a decrease in the age of the onset of type 1 diabetes, and not necessarily to a surge of occurrences in all age groups (Gillespie, 2006). Glucose. As the main source of energy for many of the tissues in the body, glucose holds much importance. It is metabolized during cellular respiration to release adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is necessary to carry out many bodily functions (Leslie, 2013). The homeostasis of glucose is maintained by the hormones glucagon, and insulin. It is urgent that the homeostasis of glucose be maintained in order to avoid complications. As is the problem with diabetes, the levels of glucose in the blood stream have an improper balance, ruining the desired