Information About Diabetes Mellitus

Why do people get diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism, the way that bodies digest food for growth and energy. Basically, it is when the body does not process the food we eat into sugars properly. The onset of diabetes is due usually to hereditary and environmental causes, resulting in abnormally high or low blood sugar levels; hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia respectively. Blood glucose levels are controlled by the insulin, a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas. When there is an interruption in the production of insulin either a lower or higher production then necessary, then the condition of diabetes is developed.

The amount of sugar that enters the bloodstream in our body is from 2 different sources:

• (Internal) Sugar also known as glucose is produced in our body’s own production by the liver
• (External) The food we consume also provides us an additional source of glucose when it is being digested.

Sugar in the blood must first get inside the cells of the body before it can be used to produce energy.

What does Insulin do for the body?

• Insulin, that is produced in the liver assists sugar to leave the blood and enter body cells:
• Allows sugar both external and internal sources to enter the cells.
• Controls the sugar production in the liver and muscle
• Sugar is the main source of fuel for the cells.
• As the sugar enters the cell with the help of insulin the level of sugar in the blood decreases.
• Insulin relates to sugar and the bloodstream like a key allowing sugar from bloodstream to enter the cells where it can be used.