THE SWEET FACTOR: DIABETES AND PETS

Diabetes is the rise in blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) due to abnormal levels of the insulin hormone or abnormal functioning of the pancreas. Having a sweet tooth has nothing to do with diabetes.

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes refers to an abnormal rise in blood glucose levels under normal conditions.

THE PANCREAS: Pancreas is an organ present at the right side of the body and is lodged in the curvature of Duodenum. This humble organ has a big role to play in the glucose metabolism. In today's blog, let's uncover the mystery fog around diabetes, the signs and symptoms associated with diabetes and other intricate details of the same.

The pancreas has certain types of cells namely the Alpha cells, the Beta cells and the Delta cells. Alpha cells secrete an enzyme namely the glucagon which increases the blood sugar levels. The beta cells on the other hand secretes Insulin which decreases the blood sugar levels by opening the gates for sugar molecules to enter individual cells. This system works in harmony to maintain adequate levels of blood sugar and ensures that every cell in the body is supplied with the needful levels of sugar. In certain health conditions, the functioning of the pancreas is hampered which causes diabetes or the increase in blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).

Diabetes can be broadly distinguished as:

Type 1 Diabetes: (syn; Insulin- dependent diabetes). In this form of diabetes, the body fails to produce enough insulin to maintain the blood glucose levels and as a result there is insulin deficiency causing cells to receive lesser than optimum levels of glucose. The reasons could be autoimmune destruction of the pancreas (the insulin producing organ) or pancreatitis, etc.

Type 2 Diabetes: (syn: Insulin-independent diabetes). In this form, the blood glucose levels are extremely high. This is a form of insulin-resistance. It can be caused due to obesity, sedentary lifestyle or some other genetically driven reasons.