Introduction “Diabetes is the most common metabolic disease in the United States” (Smith, 1988, p.78). Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as some other minor forms of diabetes, combine to affect millions of people across the United States every year. While type 1 diabetes is much less common than type 2, both are serious diseases with serious side effects if not dealt with properly. Diabetes is a hot topic amongst scientists across the world and will continue to be as it grows and affects more and more people. Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes is a serious disease that is unavoidable in a way. “Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease” (Pearce, 2014, p. vii). In simpler terms, this means that type 1 diabetes is a long-lasting, persistent disease that …show more content…
A person typically will not even know they have prediabetes, but if it is discovered early enough, necessary steps can be taken to help delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes Differing in multiple ways from type 1 diabetes is type 2 diabetes. As stated above, type 2 comes after a stage known as prediabetes. Unlike type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetics, those with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but the amount of insulin is typically not enough to keep blood sugar levels normal. Type 2 diabetes typically occurs in people over thirty years old. Looking at type 2 diabetes, there is not one cause that can specifically be linked to the disease. Type 2 Causes There are multiple causes that lead to the onset of type 2 diabetes: “Type 2 diabetes is due to the body not responding well to the insulin made by the pancreas” (Saudek, 1997, p. 18). So, while the pancreatic beta cells produce insulin, it is either not enough, or the body has a tough time using it and taking it in. Also, according to Peter Lodewick, a hereditary link can