What IS Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, usually referred to simply as diabetes, is a condition characterized by abnormally high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Blood glucose is normally controlled by a complex interaction of several hormones, the most important of which is insulin, which is produced in the pancreas and works to assist the movement of glucose out of the bloodstream and into our cells.

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a condition where the pancreas stops producing insulin. This happens because of a glitch in the immune system, where the immune system mistakes the insulin producing cells of the pancreas (called beta cells) as foreign, and attacks them, causing failure and eventually absent insulin prodution. T1DM has onset most commonly in children or young adults.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is caused by a problem that we call 'insulin resistance'. This means that the body's cells need higher levels of insulin to assist movement of glucose into the cells. This puts the pancreas into a state of overdrive, in that it has to work extra hard to make enough insulin to push glucose into the cells and thereby maintain normal blood glucose levels. When the pancreas simply cannot make enough insulin to overcome the insulin resistance, blood sugars start to climb and T2DM results. One of the most important risk factors for T2DM is obesity, because the more a person weighs, the higher their insulin resistance. The onset of Type 2 diabetes has traditionally been seen amongst older individuals, but with the prevalence of obesity on the rise, we are seeing T2DM in younger adults, and even in children.

Dr. Sue © 2009 drsuetalks@gmail.com