Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is classed as a metabolism disorder. Metabolism refers to the way our bodies use digested food for energy and growth. Most of what we eat is broken down into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar in the blood - it is the principal source of fuel for our bodies.
When our food is digested the glucose makes its way into our bloodstream. Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However, glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present - insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose.
Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. After eating, the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to move the glucose present in our blood into the cells, and lowers the blood sugar level.
A person with diabetes has a condition in which the quantity of glucose in the blood is too elevated (hyperglycemia). This is because the body does not produce enough insulin, produces no insulin, or has cells that do not respond properly to the insulin the pancreas produces. This results in too much glucose building up in the blood. This excess blood glucose eventually passes out of the body in urine. So, even though the blood has plenty of glucose, the cells are not getting it for their essential energy and growth requirements.
There are three main types of diabetes: Diabetes Type 1 - You produce no insulin at all. Diabetes Type 2 - You don't produce enough insulin, or your insulin is not working properly. Gestational Diabetes - You develop diabetes just during your pregnancy. Type 1 Diabetes: In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.
Type 2 Diabetes: This form of diabetes is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, when type II diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but for unknown reasons the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance.
Gestational Diabetes Some women develop gestational diabetes late in pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually disappears after the birth of the baby.
How it is diagnosed? Blood sugar level- Diabetes can be diagnosed by examining blood sugar level after taking food, empty stomach.
Symptoms
Treatment: