Diabetes Mellitus Blog

What are its causes?
The most common cause of Diabetes Mellitus is insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas. Lack of insulin causes hyperglycemia and glucosuria. Insulin is a hormone produced by special cells called beta cells in the pancreas, an organ in the area behind the stomach. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar (glucose) into cells where it is stored and used later for energy. In type 1 diabetes, these cells produce little or no insulin. Glucose is a sugar that comes from the food we eat, circulates in the blood and is used by the body to provide the energy needed to develop any type of work.

There are several forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent. This type of diabetes can occur at any age but is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents or young adults. When no insulin in young diabetics (Type 1) or not working properly, as in adults (type 2), sugar is no more blood to the organs and the performance is poor. At the time, sugar accumulates in the blood in quantities greater than normal, appearing hyperglycemia.

When blood glucose exceeds 180 mg, the body can not hold it, so that eliminated in urine: Glycosuria. In one patient poorly controlled or untreated hyperglycemia and glycosuria appears. Without enough insulin, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream instead of entering cells and the body is unable to use it for energy. This leads to symptoms of type 1 diabetes. After 5 to 10 years, beta cells produce insulin in the pancreas are completely destroyed and the body can not produce this hormone.

The exact cause is unknown, but chances are there is a viral or environmental trigger in genetically susceptible individuals causes an immune reaction. The body’s white blood cells mistakenly attack the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin.