Diabetes can be caused by a malfunctioning immune system, particularly in type 1 diabetes, which is often an autoimmune disease. Type 2 diabetes can also result from immune system problems, such as viral infections or bacteria. Diabetes can also weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of illness. Insulin therapy is the only treatment for type 1 diabetes, while lifestyle changes are recommended for type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is defined as the inability of insulin to regulate healthy blood sugar due to lifestyle or genetics, however, there are times when diabetes develops in response to a malfunction within the immune system . The immune system and diabetes are known to be linked in type 1 diabetes, as this type of diabetes is often an autoimmune disease. Sometimes, type 2 diabetes can result from a problem with the immune system, as a viral infection or bacteria can cause insulin insensitivity. It is not uncommon for diabetes to cause a decrease in immune function, increasing the risk of getting sick.
Diabetes and the immune system have been shown to be directly linked, and a weak or malfunctioning immune system can cause diabetic symptoms in some individuals. Type 1 diabetes affects nearly 1-1% of the population and is often associated with an autoimmune disease. When a healthy individual is invaded by foreign bacteria or viruses, the immune system will work to attack that virus or bacteria and destroy it. With type 1 diabetes, the immune system will actually direct its signals to attack the bacteria and instead attack the insulin beta cells in the body.
When insulin beta cells are attacked by a faulty immune system, little or no insulin is produced to help regulate blood sugar levels back to normal. Type 1 diabetes and the immune system come under scrutiny when studying the health of an individual suffering from low energy and fatigue. Although exercise and a proper diet are necessary to keep a strong immune system, doctors agree that the only treatment for type 1 diabetes and a malfunctioning immune system is daily injections of insulin. If insulin therapy is not given to these patients every day to help control blood sugar levels, it is highly possible that a patient could fall into a diabetic coma.
Type 2 diabetes can also be the result of an autoimmune disease, however, most cases of type 2 diabetes are often associated with unhealthy lifestyle factors. If blood sugar becomes uncontrollable and insulin is always being secreted, this can have a direct effect on both diabetes and the immune system. Depressed immune function can often be caused by high levels of both blood sugar and insulin, especially if these levels are kept high for an extended period of time. Plenty of physical activity is recommended for type 2 diabetics to help keep blood sugar under control and keep the immune system strong.
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