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Infectous Disease Paper

Running head: DIABETES INFECTIOUS DISEASE PAPER

Diabetes Infectious Disease Paper
Kristy Soracco
University of Phoenix
SCI/100
10/22/2007



Diabetes Infectious Disease Paper

Diabetes affects many Americans in this country including children and adults. Some may not know that they even have the disease. Proper diet and exercise can prevent the onset of this disease but may be related to genetics or the environment that individuals are exposed to daily.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. (American Diabetes Association, 2007)
There is four major types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, Gestational diabetes, and Pre-diabetes. Over 20 million Americans including children have diabetes, some may not even know that the have it or are at risk for the disease. (American Diabetes Association,) Diabetes is not a disease that is inherited through family traits but you could be at risk if individuals in your family have the disease.
Type 1 diabetes is the disease where you body particularly your pancreas, does not produce insulin needed for proper cell function. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. As a result, the pancreas does not make insulin, a hormone which helps use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. The cells become starved of energy and an excess of glucose in the blood. People with Type 1 diabetes must have daily injections of insulin to live. Proper diet, exercise and home blood sugar monitoring are essential to manage the disease. (Health A to Z, June 2007) With Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin....