Although most people know the general implications of diabetes, it can be difficult to define diabetes, and distinguish between the two types of diabetes. However, one reason for the difficulty that you may encounter when you want to define diabetes is the complexity of terms that any definition comes with. But a definition need not be complicated, and as long as you understand the basics of the condition, you will not have a big problem when asked to define diabetes. A good definition is really one that is comprehensive, simple and factual, and understanding diabetes is the only way to find such a definition.
General implications
To begin with, we define diabetes as a condition of the body, which means that there is a function of the body that is lacking in performance. The reasons may vary, but diabetes problems have to do with a person’s blood sugar levels. When food is taken, sugar is absorbed into the blood as glucose and then delivered to the various body cells to provide energy for the body functions, both internal and external. The insulin hormone on its part, assists in the delivery of this glucose to the body cells, and without it, body cells are unable to take up the sugar that they require.
Types
Diabetes occurs when the blood sugar levels increase when the body cells are unable to take up sugar from the blood when insulin does not do its job. The reason for this is twofold, and as such, there are two types of diabetes. The first is diabetes type 1, which is caused when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or does not produce it at all. This results in the body cells being unable to take up glucose from the blood, leaving the blood with excessive sugar levels that are unhealthy.
Diabetes type 2 is caused when the body, though producing insulin normally, is unable to respond normally to insulin. This is sometimes called insulin resistance, which means that though insulin may be present, the body does not recognize it, making it as good as absent. Again, the blood sugar levels increase when the body cells are unable to take up glucose from the blood.
Definitions
Once you have understood the causes of diabetes, you are now in a position to define diabetes. For instance, a simple definition of diabetes type 1 is a condition where an individual’s blood level rises above healthy levels as a result of absent or inadequate amounts of insulin. On the other hand, you can define diabetes type 2 as the condition where an individual’s blood level rises above normal healthy levels as a result of the body’s inability to respond to insulin in the body.
You can also include the effects of diabetes in its definition. The effects of the condition are really the results of high blood sugar levels, and include increased urination, extreme thirst and unexplained weight loss. As stated before, once you understand the details, you will find it much easier to define diabetes.