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Glucose is a simple sugar that functions as a main source of energy in the body. Glucose is obtained from the food we eat and the liver where it is stored. When food is digested, this sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream where it can be taken up by muscles and tissues to be converted to energy, or is stored as glycogen in the liver for later use. Absorption of glucose from the blood into cells requires insulin.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is released in response to elevated sugar levels in the blood. It works by signaling certain receptors on the outer cells of muscles and tissues to become active, allowing for the movement of glucose into the cell.
Insulin thus lowers blood sugar, and as blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
Diabetes Mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect the absorption of glucose from the blood stream, causing high blood sugar. Chronic or long-lasting diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, which differ in how insulin is produced and used.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This results in the production of little or no insulin. Instead of being transported into your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. Current research is uncovering the role inflammation plays in the onset and severity of type 1 diabetes. The presence of inflammatory markers like cytokines have been shown to predispose pancreatic beta cells for destruction by the immune system.1 Additionally, inflammation has been shown to affect the ability of insulin to trigger the uptake of glucose into cells, a condition referred to as insulin resistance, in type 1 diabetes.2
In type-2 diabetes, chronic low-grade inflammation causes cells to be insulin resistant, and the pancreas is unable to make enough insulin to overcome this resistance.3 Instead of moving into your cells, sugar accumulates in the bloodstream. The uncontrolled presence of inflammation in type 2 diabetes can also lead to a decrease in the number and function of insulin-producing beta cells, further complicating the disease.4
While the improper functioning of insulin in the body is the general basis of either form of diabetes, the precise causes differ in each type.
Type 1 diabetes typically affects younger individuals and the exact cause for the onset is unknown. Genetics seem to play a role, as having a family member with type 1 diabetes increases the risk of developing it oneself. Viral infections, such as mumps or rubella, have also been linked to the onset of type 1 diabetes but conclusive evidence on exactly how is limited.5 Because of the damage to the beta cells, type 1 diabetes is referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It is also sometimes called juvenile-onset diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1, making up the majority of diabetes cases. It usually occurs in adulthood, thus giving it the previously used alternative name adult-onset diabetes; however young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. The largest contributing factor to the increase in cases of type 2 diabetes can be attributed to the growing obesity and inactivity rates. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
Other conditions associated with diabetes include:
High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, can create a number of problems which can be seen in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These include:
Type 1 diabetes usually develops symptoms rapidly and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting. Emergency complications include ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma.
Type 2 diabetes develops slowly, with people occasionally not seeing symptoms until the disease is advanced. Other type 2 diabetes symptoms include:
Controlling blood glucose levels can prevent many symptoms and complication of diabetes. If blood glucose and lipid (fat) levels are not regulated many serious complications can form, including:
Diabetes Mellitus has no cure, but it can be treated and controlled. Depending on the type of diabetes, blood sugar monitoring, insulin and oral medications may play a role in treatment options. For those with severe type 1 diabetes, a pancreas transplant may be a necessary option. No matter which type of diabetes one is diagnosed with, certain lifestyle changes must be put in place to properly manage the disease.
A healthy diet must be followed, with restrictions on fat and sugar intake. Physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, should be a part of one’s daily routine. Exercise not only reduces the amount of glucose in the blood by increasing its use as energy. It also helps to increase insulin sensitivity in muscles and tissues. Maintaining a healthy weight is also a large part of controlling the disease and eliminating risk of complications
