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Diabetes, alcohol and obesity

Sometimes homeostatic mechanisms are disrupted by lifestyle choices or by the onset of disease. In these cases help is required to keep the body in balance.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the blood glucose levels remain too high. It can be treated by injecting . The extra insulin causes the liver to convert into , which reduces the blood glucose level. There are two types of diabetes - type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by damage to the beta cells in the which produce insulin. The problem can be inherited, but can also be caused by contracting particular viruses and the body’s response to them. As a result people with type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin.

It can be controlled by:

  • following a low sugar/carbohydrate diet
  • injecting insulin
  • possible transplant of pancreatic tissue
An insulin kit including needles and blood glucose meter

People with type 1 diabetes have to monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day. Their levels of physical activity and their diet affect the amount of insulin needed.

They can help to control their blood glucose level by being careful with their diet (eating foods that will not cause big spikes in their blood sugar level) and by exercising (which can lower blood glucose levels due to increased in the muscles).

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is caused by a person’s body becoming resistant to insulin. It can be controlled by diet and exercise. There is a link between rising levels of and increasing levels of type 2 diabetes.

Lifestyle

Eating too much food over a long period can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Other lifestyle choices can also contribute to the onset of disease such as:

  • drinking too much alcohol
  • misuse of drugs

Alcohol

Alcohol, even in small amounts, increases the body’s reaction time. This could have fatal consequences if a person is driving a car under the influence of alcohol.

A glass of beer, a glass of red wine, and a glass of white wine.

It is also . People can become dependent on the use of alcohol and suffer symptoms without it.

Continuing to use alcohol can cause long term physical damage to major organs such as the liver and circulatory system.