The diabetes and pancreas link is a simple one that is explained here. As you are probably aware, diabetes is now well into the top ten reasons for deaths among people world-wide.
It doesn't matter if you are in a developed or so-called under-developed country, you're still at risk for developing diabetes and diabetes symptoms.
There is a direct correlation between your pancreas and diabetes, and we'll take a look at that diabetes and pancreas relationship in a minute.
It's estimated that at least 300,000,000 people world-wide will suffer from diabetes or at least some diabetes symptoms within a few short years. That's why diabetes is known as a global epidemic.
"What Is Diabetes And What Is The Diabetes And Pancreas Relationship?"
Basically diabetes and pancreas problems are caused by not enough insulin being produced by your body or more to the point, your pancreas. Insulin is the hormone produced by your pancreas to process glucose. Glucose is needed by your body for energy and is a type of sugar.
Prior to your body being able to use glucose, insulin has to be able to convert the sugar into a form that it can absorb.
If your pancreas cannot product the proper amount of insulin then your cells can't provide the needed energy for your body to work properly. This can cause general weakness. In addition, because the glucose can't be used up it ends up causing health problems such as kidney ailments.
If you do not receive the right diabetes treatment you can end up with some very serious health problems. These can include: a loss of your eyesight, nerve damage, kidney failure, and in many cases, diabetic ketoacidosis; which is a diabetic coma.
We discuss the
different types of diabetes symptoms
in-depth in other articles in our diabetes section, but let’s review the two main ones here.
The 2 main diabetes types are different in the ways that you get them but both can cause quite serious diabetes and pancreas problems. The first one, Type I diabetes, comes about when your body attacks the cells that produce insulin. Since the cells become damaged they can no longer produce insulin.
Type II diabetes is as we mentioned earlier is caused when your body can't process glucose even when there is insulin production. This usually happens due to an excessive amount of sugar present and your body can't produce enough insulin to effectively process it. When this happens, extreme stress is placed on your pancreas.
Now, in case you're not aware, your pancreas is a gland that lies crosswise and behind your stomach. It makes insulin and then releases it into your body. The cells called islets of Langerhans are what makes the insulin, and are the same cells that are damaged in Type I diabetes.
If you have Type II diabetes, your pancreas ends up being over-worked in making the amount of insulin needed to handle excessive sugar levels. If this problem isn't corrected your pancreas itself can become damaged.
If you have Type I diabetes you will have to take insulin shots, although other methods are now being developed that may do the same job without the needles.
Diet and exercise can drastically help you if you have Type II diabetes as can certain supplements. So, if you have Type II diabetes it's suggested that you do this on a consistent basis. Just exercising and eating right now and then won't do anything for you. You have to make it a lifestyle change.
If exercise, diet and certain supplements aren’t enough to control Type II diabetes, then insulin may be administered.
In cases of Type I diabetes there is really no complete solution to eliminate it, with the exception of having your pancreas replaced. Once your pancreas has been damaged it can no longer do the job of producing insulin, so really the only option (right now anyway) would be to have your pancreas replaced.
There have been many successful pancreas transplants but it is still a very risky procedure. Your immune system, like any other organ transplant, may reject your new pancreas which can lead to even more serious problems.
A lot of people who have had a pancreas transplant have also had a kidney transplant as well. It's also been noted that of the patients who have just had a pancreas transplant and not both a pancreas and kidney transplant, have a high rate of dying.
Do you suffer from diabetes? Did you at one time have diabetes but were able to beat it? Do you have an uplifting or unique story about your own experience with diabetes? Or do you have some good information that we may have missed? Share it!