Physiology
Insulin is a small polypeptide hormone, which is synthesized and stored in the pancreas. Insulin is extremely important for the regulation of blood sugar. When blood sugar levels increase in the blood, the pancreas senses this and releases insulin. The insulin lowers the blood sugars by allowing it to enter the body cells where it is used up as energy.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder where the levels of insulin are either absent, low or the body has developed a resistance to it. In general, there are two subtypes of diabetes mellitus.
Type 1 diabetes is congenital and usually presents in childhood. In this disorder, the pancreas never makes the insulin. Most of these individuals are diagnosed in early childhood and need life long treatment with insulin.
In type 2 diabetes, the onset is in the 4th-5th decade of life or later. This disorder is most commonly seen in obese individuals. in people who do not exercise and those who eat a high sugar diet. The body does have insulin but in some cases the insulin is not adequate. In other cases, the body does develop a resistance to the normal insulin in the body and the sugars remain high. In type 2 diabetes, the recommended therapy is to exercise, lose weight, and take drugs, which can stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas.
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