What Causes Diabetes? | Best Educational Videos For Kids

Understanding Diabetes Mellitus: Causes and Types

Diabetes mellitus is a long-lasting health condition that affects many people around the world. It happens when there is too much sugar, also known as glucose, in the blood. If not managed well, it can lead to serious health problems. Let’s learn more about what diabetes is, how it affects our bodies, and the different types of diabetes.

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus, or just diabetes, occurs when the sugar levels in the blood become too high. Glucose is the main source of energy for our bodies, so keeping these levels balanced is very important for staying healthy.

The Role of the Pancreas

To understand diabetes, we need to know about the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach. It helps turn the food we eat into energy and keeps our blood sugar levels in check by making hormones like insulin and glucagon.

• Insulin: When blood sugar levels go up, insulin helps move extra glucose from the blood into the cells, where it can be used for energy or saved for later.
• Glucagon: When blood sugar levels go down, glucagon tells the liver and cells to release stored glucose back into the blood.

If the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or the body can’t use it well, diabetes can develop.

The Impact of Diabetes

When there isn’t enough insulin, glucose stays in the blood, causing high blood sugar levels. This can lead to serious health issues, such as:

• Hardening of blood vessels
• Increased risk of strokes
• Heart attacks
• Kidney failure

Types of Diabetes

There are different types of diabetes, each with its own causes and characteristics:

1. Type 1 Diabetes: This type happens when the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. The body then makes little or no insulin.
2. Type 2 Diabetes: In this type, the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body can’t use it well. This is the most common type, making up 90-95% of adult cases.
3. Gestational Diabetes: This type occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. However, it can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
4. Monogenic Diabetes: This is an inherited form of diabetes caused by a change in a single gene.
5. Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes: This type occurs in people with cystic fibrosis and is related to damage to the pancreas.

Global Impact of Diabetes

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that about 422 million people around the world have diabetes. It affects older adults a lot, with one in four people over the age of 65 having diabetes.

Conclusion

Diabetes mellitus is a serious health condition that needs attention and care. Knowing how the pancreas works and understanding the different types of diabetes can help people notice symptoms and get the right help. If you or someone you know feels very hungry, thirsty, or needs to urinate often, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional for advice and help.