Question

What is diabetes mellitus? What are the primary differences between diabetes mellitus type I (insulin-dependent) vs. type I (non-insulin dependent)?

Answer 1

Answer:

Diabetes Mellitus is a medical condition characterized by presence of high blood sugar levels for a prolonged period of time. The symptoms associated with this disorder include frequent urination, increased thirst,e.t.c. It is caused when the pancreas are not able to produce insulin as required in a healthy body. The function of insulin produced by the pancreas is to control the glucose level in the body which is the ultimate product resulting from the complete breakdown of carbohydrates in the body.Insulin signals the body to take up glucose from the blood and store it as glycogen in the liver.

The type -1 diabetes is caused by the loss of insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. It may be caused due to the the attack by the immune cells on these beta cells.Type 1 diabetes may occur at any age but majority cases are detected during adulthood.  

Type 2 diabetes or also known as non insulin dependent diabetes is a condition caused by resistance to insulin in the body along with a reduced secretion of insulin.It's causes are weakly understood but usually it is believed to be affected by hereditary and lifestyle changes. Increased intake of sugar above the normal levels is believed also to be a cause in this disorder.