Diabetes is a disorder for which high sugar levels are typical leading to insulin production shortage (type I), or insulin action defects on the target organs (type II). The levels of blood sugar are regulated by insulin. It is produced in the pancreas, and in healthy conditions, it generally keeps the normal levels of glucose.
Generally eating rises glucose levels which stimulates the pancreas to release insulin that lowers glucose levels. In people with diabetes insufficient insulin production or body cells resistance to insulin activity (insulin resistance) provokes the levels of glucose to remain high.
Diabetes types:
Type I – known as diabetes insulin dependent or juvenile onset diabetes. Commonly occurring in young adults and kids, the body immunity wrongly produces antibodies attacking the pancreas. The pancreas gets incapable to produce necessary insulin. In diabetes Type I insulin injections are necessary.
Type II – is diabetes non-insulin dependent or adult onset diabetes. The pancreas produces insulin, but the cells of the body cannot use insulin in a proper way. With some time there is a decline in insulin the pancreas produce. This means that some people with diabetes type II might need insulin treatment.
Gestational diabetes – elevated levels of blood sugar in pregnancy normally resolve when the baby is born. Though, 25-50 per cent of women having gestational diabetes can develop diabetes Type II later in life.
Pre-diabetic forms – impaired fasting glycaemia and impaired glucose tolerance.
Symptoms
Many individuals suffering from diabetes have no symptoms, in particular those having diabetes Type II, pre-diabetic conditions and gestational diabetes. But in patients with really high levels of blood sugar, the signs are the following:
- increase in frequency and amount of urination
- excessive thirst and elevated hunger
- loss of weight in spite of eating well
- numbness in feet and hands
- weakness and fatigue
- deteriorated vision
- skin wounds reluctant to heal
- different infections