What Is The Definition Of Diabetes

What Is The Definition Of Diabetes ?

Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism. Metabolism is the way the body uses digested food for growth and energy. The food eaten is broken down into glucose. Glucose is the form of sugar in the blood and is the main source of fuel for the body.

After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream. Here cells use it for energy. But for this to happen, insulin is required. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. The pancreas, in a normal person produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from blood to the cells. But, in a diabetic person, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Glucose remains in the blood, overflows into the bladder, and passes out of the body along with the urine. In this manner the body loses its main source of fuel.

The three main types of Diabetes are -- Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the insulin- producing beta cells in the pancreas. The latter produces little or no insulin. Hence a person suffering from type 1 diabetes has to take insulin daily to live. Symptoms include increased thirst and urination, excess fatigue, weight loss and blurred vision.

Type 2 diabetes is most common. It occurs in overweight people, the elderly and sedentary. It is usually genetic. Here, the pancreas produced enough insulin, but the body is incapable to use it properly. Glucose builds up in the blood and the body is unable to use it as a fuel.

Gestational diabetes occurs in women in the last stages of pregnancy. Some ethnic groups are more prone, and so are those with a genetic predisposition. Gestational diabetes occurs and is caused by certain hormones produced during pregnancy, or a shortage of insulin.

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What Is The Definition Of Diabetes

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When Was Diabetes Discovered ?

Physicians have been aware of diabetes for over 3500 years, judging by ancient texts, especially in Ayurvedic medicine which originated in India. But other civilizations also knew about the disease which was described differently. Two common features were that the disease was incurable and the patient would inevitably die, and that it was a wasting disease connected with sugar in the urine. In fact, it was believed that the flesh and bones melted and were washed away in urine. More..