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Diabetes is a disease characterised by inability of the body to produce insulin
or use insulin properly, and by high blood glucose levels, as
insulin is the 'key' that unlocks the 'doors' to the cells and allows glucose to enter. If insulin is
missing, glucose remains in the blood instead of providing the cells with energy.
Two
major types of diabetes are distinguished:
Type 1 diabetes
is caused by destruction of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. It tends to develop before
the age of 30 but may occur at any age.
Type 2 diabetes
is much more common and accounts for 90–95% of all diabetes cases worldwide. This form of diabetes occurs
almost entirely in adults and results from inability of the body to respond to the action of insulin. |
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