There are two types of diabetes – Type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is
called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and occurs at a younger age or
childhood. In these patients there is complete lack of the hormone insulin that
mandates external administration of the hormone regularly as treatment.
Around 75% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes mellitus. This was
earlier termed non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
or maturity-onset diabetes mellitus. The number of people with type 2
diabetes is rapidly increasing. In type 2 diabetes, not enough insulin is
produced or the insulin that is made by the body is insufficient to meet the
needs of the body. Obesity or being overweight predisposes to type 2 diabetes.
When food is taken, it is broken down to smaller components. Sugars and
carbohydrates are thus broken down into glucose for the body to utilize them as
energy source. The liver is also able to manufacture glucose.
In normal persons the hormone insulin, which is made by the beta cells
of the pancreas, regulates how much glucose is in the blood. When there is
excess glucose in the blood, insulin stimulates cells to absorb enough glucose
from the blood for the energy that they need. Insulin also stimulates the liver
to absorb and store any glucose that is excess in blood. Insulin release is triggered
after a meal when there is rise in blood glucose. When blood glucose levels
fall, during exercise for example, insulin levels fall too.
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