Erin O'Reilly, age 9, of Metamora, I11., for her question:
WHAT CAUSES DIABETES?
Diabetes is the name of two different diseases with the same symptom: the victim experiences excessive urination. Diabetes mellitus, the more common of the two diseases, is caused when the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin.
Diabetes insipidus is caused when the rear portion, or posterior lobe, of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, a part of the brain, does not function normally.
A person who has diabetes mellitus has an abnormal amount of sugar in his blood. He also has sugar in his urine. Insulin in the body enables sugar in food to be stored and burned properly. When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, the body cannot use or store sugar normally.
A person who has diabetes mellitus finds that excess sugar accumulates in the blood and that the kidneys give off some into the urine.
The victim may also notice that in addition to passing large amounts of urine, he has a great thirst, suffers a loss of weight and suffers a loss of strength. Untreated, diabetics have a tendency toward attacks of boils, carbuncles and other infections.
Diabetes cannot be cured. But the disease can definitely be controlled by injections of insulin and careful attention to diet. Many diabetics live as long as people of normal health. Every diabetic should be under a doctor's care, however. Patients with diabetes insipidus can be controlled with injections of vasopressin.
Mild cases of diabetes can be controlled by diet alone. The diabetic should not eat foods high in sugar, such as candy, cake or jam. The diabetic should also carefully select foods that contain needed vitamins and minerals.
Even when a patient with diabetes uses insulin, he must carefully watch his diet. The amount of insulin he uses depends on his weight, diet, amount of exercise, severity of the disease and general health. That's why it is important to have medical advice available at all times.
Even small children with diabetes quickly learn to give themselves injections of insulin with hypodermic needles.
Scientists have also developed a number of drugs that some diabetics can take through the mouth. These drugs stimulate the pancreas to produce some insulin. They are taken if diet alone cannot control the blood sugar level and if injections are considered unnecessary.' Some doctors believe the drugs are harmful, however.