Health Tips – What is Diabetes?
Health Tips – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disorder that affects the way that your body uses food for energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into glucose, which is a type of sugar. Glucose is carried by the bloodstream to the cells, where it is used as fuel for cell growth and energy.
To help glucose enter the cells, your pancreas (a small organ that is part of your digestive system) produces a hormone called insulin. When you have diabetes, your pancreas can’t make enough insulin to meet your body’s needs, or your body can’t effectively use the insulin it produces. Without insulin, glucose can’t pass through cell membranes and stays in your bloodstream. This deprives the cells of an essential energy source and interferes with normal bodily functions.
There are three types of diabetes:
- Type 1 – This type of diabetes usually develops early in life, frequently affecting children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to stay alive. Approximately 10% of people with diabetes have type 1.
- Type 2 – This is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually makes the right amount of insulin but the body can’t use it properly – a condition known as insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and tends to affect people over the age of 40. This type of diabetes is often considered a lifestyle disease because people who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle have a higher risk of developing it. Approximately 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.
- Gestational diabetes – This type of diabetes is temporary. It only affects pregnant women and usually disappears after the baby is born. However, women with gestational diabetes do have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Approximately 2% to 5% of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes.
