The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-05-18

NtllCI QOCo nOb lCIObliAo - etiee
there are two distinct classes Of
diabetes. The cause Of diabetes is
inability TO burn starches and
sugars in the body. and the reason
for this inability is entirely in the
lack Of the formation Of q sub
stance that is naturally formed in
the body called insulin. Insulin is
formed from certain cells in the
pancreas, and when these degen-
crate for any reason. diabetes re-
suits.
One class Of cases in which these
cells degenerate occurs in children
and young adults. The cause Of
this degeneration is not known. II
may be infectious disease or some
poison which enters the body and
has a selective affinity for these
cells and completely destroys them.
That, at least, is the only explana-
ton we have now and, obviously,
this kind. of diabetes is not heredi-
tsry at all.
Severe When In Children
This form Of diabetes occurs in
children where no other members
Of the family have diabetes and
none Of them develop it later. Il
is, incidentally, a very severe form
of diabetes which is more severe
than that which occurs in middle
aged people.
The other kind of diabetes is far
more frequent. 1t tends to affect
people in middle age or in early
senility, and is so frequently ac-
companied by changes in the small
arteries Of the body that we rather
assume the condition is due TO a
strangulation Of the cells of the
pancreas which produce insulin-
strangulation by closure Of the
small arteries which supply them.
The change may or may not be
accompanied by high blood pres
sure. 1t is about fifty-ffty. Half
the cases have high blood pressure
and half have normal or low blood
pressure. But the changes in the
arteries are probably there Just
the same because we find in these
cases changes in the arteries Of the
eve and of the toes and extremi-
ties.
Heredity Questionable
Now IL we are right in assuming
that hardening of the arteries and
high blood pressure are heredi-
tary, this group Of cases is heredl-
tary, but since the first PROPOSE
ton is debatable. the second propo-
sition is also debatable. There is
no use worrying about whether
diabetes is hereditary or not, be-
cause nothing can be done about 1t
anyway.
can answer the last question IN
the letter by saying that there is
no way that | know Of TO prevent
diabetes with either diet, exercise
or other attentions to personal
hygiene. II is true that a majority
of the cases occur in those who
have previously been overweight
q mean in the second group) and
while | cannot personally see any
relationship between the over
weight and the diabetes, if any
body wants to take advantage of
this knowledge, he should keep his
weight within normal limits. There
doesn't seem to be any connection
between the eating Of high sugar
and starch diet and the onset Of
diabetes. While it is true it is q
condition in which the physiology
Of the starches and sugars is
changed, any person can take care
of an almost unlimited amount of
starch until diabetes itself sets in.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
NJ. H.:--Will you please explain
70 me what acute glaucoma eye dis
ease is caused from and how to
treat it?
Answer: Acute glaucoma is due
TO an increase in the tension of the
fluid inside the eye ball which &C.
ours usually in people around 40
or so years of age. Acute glau-
coma comes on suddenly with very
severe headache, dizziness and
vomiting. The pain is referred to
the head more than to the eye. Any
such episode coming out Of clear
sky without previous attacks in a
person this age requires the i'm
mediate attention of the best ocu-
list available as the condition Is
very serious.