Diabetes is a medical condition in which patients will suffer from high levels of blood sugar. Because of this, they will not secrete the correct amount of the hormone insulin. There are three forms of diabetes, and these are gestational diabetes, type 1, and type 2. About 10% of all cases are Type 1, while 90% of cases are type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the islets of Langerhans will be destroyed, and this will stop the body from producing the necessary amount of insulin. Type 1 can only be treated by injecting insulin directly into the body. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the cells in the body becoming less sensitive to insulin.

Gestational diabetes may occur in women who are pregnant. It functions in a manner that is similar to Type 2, and a large percentage of women who get it will also develop type 2 diabetes. Insulin was first discovered in 1921, and has allowed doctors to treat the disease. It is a chronic ailment, and it has a number of complications over a long period of time. Patients who have diabetes are also at risk for renal failure, cardiovascular disease, and nerve damage. Many of these problems are rare in people who have blood sugar levels that are balanced.

Insulin is the main hormone that is responsible for the maintenance of glucose. When there is not a sufficient amount of insulin in the body, diabetes will often develop. When carbohydrates are introduced into the body, they will often be transformed into glucose, and this is the primary carbohydrate in the blood. Insulin is important because it will allow the various cells in the body to use glucose as a form of fuel or storage. In addition to this, glucose is responsible for transforming glucose into glycogen. Once the insulin levels begin to drop, glycogen will begin transforming back into glucose.

Many doctors work hard to educate patients on the different things they can do to keep their blood sugar levels balanced. Patients need to avoid smoking, high levels of cholesterol, and obesity. These are things that can make diabetes worse. Diabetes is a condition that was first observed thousands of years ago. However, effective treatments for the condition were first created in the 20th century. It was discovered that the pancrease plays an important role in the development of this condition. It was Grant Banting and Charles Herbert Best who first demonstrated that this disease could be treated by using insulin, and Grant Banting would go on to receive the Nobel Prize for this achievement.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes appear to be partly hereditary, but most people get this disease as a result of environmental issues. Type 2 has a much stronger genetic link, and people who have relatives with type 2 diabetes are likely to develop it themselves. There are a number of symptoms that are involved with this condition. Patients will often urinate frequently and have increased amounts of thirst. Their vision may also become blurred as well. Diabetes is a chronic ailment which requires both short and long term care. Patients must learn how to keep their blood sugar levels balanced.

Michael Colucci is a writer for Diabetes which is part of the Knowledge Search network.

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