Introduction

Type 1 Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, the disease process is more severe and onset is usually in childhood:

• Beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are gradually destroyed. Eventually insulin deficiency is absolute.
• Without insulin to move glucose into cells, blood glucose levels become excessively high, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
• Because the body cannot utilize the sugar, it spills over into the urine and is lost.
• Weakness, weight loss, and excessive hunger and thirst are among the consequences of this "starvation in the midst of plenty."
• Patients become dependent on administered insulin for survival. [See In-Depth Report # 9: Diabetes - type 1.]

Click the icon to see an image of the pancreas.

Diabetes Secondary to Other Conditions

Conditions that damage or destroy the pancreas, such as pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery, or certain industrial chemicals can cause diabetes. Polycystic ovaries are highly associated with diabetes. Certain drugs can also cause temporary diabetes, including corticosteroids, beta-blockers, and phenytoin. Rare genetic disorders (Klinefelter's syndrome, Huntington's chorea, Wolfram's syndrome, leprechaunism, Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome, lipoatrophic diabetes) and hormonal disorders (acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, somatostatinoma, aldosteronoma) are associated with or increase the risk for diabetes.