Monday 26 March 2012


What is Diabetes?


Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism characterized by high blood sugar levels that results from defects in insulin secretion or action or both. Normally, the body uses digested food for growth and energy. When food is digested, it is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body but is controlled by insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach).

After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin lowers the blood glucose level. When the blood glucose elevates (for example, after eating food), insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose levels. In patients with diabetes, the insulin is either absent, relatively insufficient for the body's needs, or not used properly by the body. All of these factors cause elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body in the urine.

Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.  The body tries to get rid of the glucose through the kidneys but the high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).  Because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar may have no symptoms. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop over a short period of time. People may be very sick by the time they are diagnosed.

No comments:

Post a Comment