Current Studies Conducted in Diabetes Research

Diabetes is a disease that currently afflicts millions of people. Although there are current studies underway for diabetes research, they re still many unanswered questions regarding diabetes. The study of diabetes is made more difficult because there is more than one type of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Research

Type 1 diabetes research revolves around finding out why this disease happens and finding a cure. The exact causes of type 1 diabetes are currently unknown. Most scientists and doctors believe that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. This disorder seems to be caused first by heredity, and secondly by other unknown factors.

New research, however, suggest that this may not be true. According to a study conducted in December of 2006 on mice type 1 diabetes may actually be a nerve disease. The study suggests that the immune system does not in fact attack the beta cells of the pancreas as previously thought in type 1 diabetes. This diabetes research suggests that instead the immune system is actually attacking and damaging nerve cells. This research is significant because, if proven in humans, type 1 diabetes may actually be treatable with nerve medications and perhaps even preventable or curable. However, this research still has yet to determine whether or not. This nerve damage is actually a cause of the disease or if it is simply a symptom of this disease, which may be caused by other factors.

Type 2 Diabetes Research

Type 2 diabetes research revolves around preventing this disease and curing it. Unlike type 1 diabetes, some of the causes of type 2 diabetes are clear. While scientists cannot pinpoint exactly why certain people will become afflicted with type 2 diabetes that have the same risk factors as other individuals that do not, they can pinpoint what these risk factors are. Some of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes include eating a diet full of fatty foods, being obese or overweight, smoking, drinking excessively, being a part of certain ethnic groups, and a family history of this disease.

Research into type 2 diabetes, focuses on how things like weight loss, exercise, improved diet, quitting smoking, and quitting drinking can reduce the effects diabetes has on an affected person s life, as well as whether or not this can cure diabetes or prevent it.

Research into gestational diabetes, which is similar to type 2 diabetes, revolves around how weight loss prior to pregnancy can prevent this disease, as well as how other risk factors may affect whether or not a person will become afflicted it with this disorder.