Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1 and Type 2
Diabetes is a condition in which the body produces insufficient insulin, or is unable to use the insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It allows glucose to enter cells in the body and be used as an energy source. If there is insufficient insulin or if it is unable to exert the proper effect, the level of glucose in the blood stream increases, resulting in diabetes. Symptoms include frequent urination, tiredness and excessive thirst. The diagnosis is often made by a combination of symptoms and/or raised blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels may be measured either in a fasting state, at random, or after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). During an OGTT, the person is given a solution of glucose to drink, and then blood samples are taken and analyzed at different intervals to see how the body deals with the glucose over time.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can result in serious health complications, including blindness, renal (kidney) failure, heart disease and stroke. To date, about 5% of the American population has diabetes. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
