For performance of various functions, human body needs energy. It is food that supplies that energy. Carbohydrate is turned into glucose as a result of digestion of food. The primary source of energy that is absorbed into our bloodstream is glucose. When this glucose is absorbed in our bloodstream, it is insulin that comes into action. Insulin is the name of a hormone secreted by an organ situated near the stomach which is called pancreas. It is insulin that helps in removing excess glucose from blood and allows its easy entry into the cells of the body. In this way, glucose that enters the body cells is broken down to produce energy that is required for our body. This is the process of a normal body.
If a person has diabetes, his pancreas either fail to produce sufficient insulin or produce insulin that is ineffective to carry out its function. Because of insufficiency or ineffectiveness of insulin, glucose that is built up in the blood stream is unable to enter the cells of our body. That is why, the body starves from energy. So, diabetes may be understood as a metabolic disorder which results in elevated blood glucose levels because of impairment of insulin secretion or action.
Diabetes is mainly of three types:-
Type -1:- This type of diabetes generally develops in early life and is known as juvenileonset diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Actually it is an autoimmune disorder. Very often virus infections may happen in this type of diabetes while the body’s own immune system or defense mechanism attacks and destroys the ?-cells of the pancreas what produce insulin hormone. The symptoms of this type of diabetes are severe. It can be life threatening if it is not well treated in proper time.
Type -2:- The second type of diabetes happens because of several factors, the most important being obesity. This is adult onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Usually this type of diabetes cannot be identified for years unless it is diagnosed. Its symptoms are milder. If it is not properly treated in proper time, it can be of life threatening case.
