Different types of diabetes

In 1998, 143 million people worldwide had diabetes. And if you believe the forecasts, there will be 300 million patients by 2025. Diabetes is a disease that, in the absence of proper treatment, can cause serious complications. Characterized by a permanent excess blood sugar, diabetes can be of different types: type 1 and type 2. What is the difference? What is the role of insulin for everyone? Experts answers.

Diabetes is a chronic disease persists throughout life. The proper management of the disease by the patient himself, with the help of his doctor, should allow to avoid complications. Diabetes is responsible for poor states of health and premature death.

Diabetes type 1 and type 2 diabetes: what differences?

Type 1

- Type 1 diabetes, insulin dependent (IDDM) diabetes also called "lean" because one of the first symptoms is weight loss, or "juvenile" because it affects young subjects.

- It accounts for about 10% of cases and is treated by insulin mandatory.

Type 1

- Type 2 diabetes, noninsulin-dependent (NIDDM), also described under the name of "fat" diabetes or adult-onset diabetes, as often occurs in midlife overweight people.

- It accounts for about 90% of cases and is treated by diet, most drugs taken orally if necessary, and possibly insulin, after several years of evolution.

Why this imbalance in sugar at a diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder of assimilation, use and storage of sugars provided by food. During digestion, the foods we eat are processed partly in sugar, essential to fuel the body's cells to function. Is insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, which regulates the amount of stored or "burned" sugar into cells. After passing through the intestinal wall, the sugar is found in the bloodstream, thereby increasing blood sugar. This signal is detected by specific pancreatic cells (beta islet cells) which then secrete insulin. The presence of insulin in the blood itself is perceived by the liver cells, muscle and fat tissue, which in response begin to consume glucose or store it for future use. Hence a return to normal levels of sugar in the blood.

Insulin: its role in the glucose uptake by the cell

IN NO DIABETIC PERSON

1 - released from the pancreas, insulin allows glucose uptake by cells. To do this, it binds to a specific receptor on the cell surface activates a protein whose function is glucose transport inwardly.

2 - Via the activated carrier, glucose enters the cell where it is converted into energy.

3 - The blood glucose level (glycemia) thus remains stable.

IN THE DIABETIC PERSON

1 - Insulin is produced in insufficient quantity (type 1 diabetes) or can bind to its receptor (type 2 diabetes) leaving the inactive carrier

2 - Glucose does not penetrate into the cell and remains in the bloodstream. Glucose is not regulated.