BACKGROUND: According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2007 alone, there were 23.6 million Americans, adults and children alike who suffered from diabetes. There are about 186,300 people under the age of 20 who suffer from diabetes each year. The ADA also explains diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. In 2005 alone, diabetes contributed to 233,619 deaths.
SYMPTOMS: According to WebMd, some common symptoms of diabetes include:
Excessive thirst and appetite
Fatigue
Nausea
Blurred vision
Frequent vaginal infections (for women)
Increased urination
Slow healing sores or cuts
Itchy skin
CAUSES: What causes such a popular disease? Type 1 diabetes is said to be an immune system disease. According to Emedicinehealth.com, with type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system attacks the pancreas, which produces insulin for the body. Type 1 diabetes may be genetic. Also, environmental factors may play a role in its development. Additionally, type 1 diabetes is more common in males than in females. Type 2 diabetes, however, is known to have very strong genetic and lifestyle links. High blood pressure, high alcohol intake, obesity, high blood levels, and for women, giving birth to a child over 9 pounds, are all major risk factors when it comes to the development of type 2 diabetes.
THE NEXT BIG THING: Fatty acid elongase-5 is an enzyme that researchers are testing on diabetic animals. When investigators boosted the production of the enzyme in livers of obese, diabetic mice, the symptoms of diabetes were gone within five days. This enzyme, which may one day be incorporated into a new drug strategy, also pushed blood sugar levels to normal values and reduced the triglyceride levels in the liver. While this discovery has gained national attention, scientists say it should not be considered a full-blown "cure" for diabetes, and more research is needed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Donald B. Jump, Ph.D.
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
Donald.Jump@Oregonstate.edu
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