Just hearing the name “Diabetes” most people say, “Oh…” Everywhere you look, there are so many people with diabetes. But many people still don’t know much about this disease. They think that having diabetes isn’t a big deal. We want to tell you right away that you are wrong! Because diabetes can affect the body more than you think.
Getting to Know Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are abnormally high. Normally, our body has mechanisms to regulate blood sugar levels appropriately, with the hormone insulin playing a key role in lowering blood sugar. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps reduce blood sugar by storing it in muscles, fat tissues, and the liver. It also helps inhibit sugar production from the liver.
When Insulin Malfunctions, It Directly Affects the Body
Whenever insulin is abnormal, whether it is a decrease in the amount of insulin in the body or the body’s organs responding less to insulin (known as insulin resistance), the body cannot effectively use the sugar in the bloodstream. This causes excess sugar to remain in the blood. If blood sugar rises to a certain level, the kidneys, which normally reabsorb sugar from the filtered substances in the nephrons, cannot reabsorb all the sugar. This results in sugar leaking into the urine. If not properly treated, it can lead to other complications.
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is broadly classified as follows:
- Type 1 Diabetes
Caused by insulin deficiency because the pancreas cannot secrete insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps transport sugar into the body’s cells to be burned for energy, leading to insulin deficiency. This type of diabetes is commonly found in children and people under 40 years old. - Type 2 Diabetes
Caused by decreased insulin production combined with insulin resistance and is often hereditary.
It occurs when the body’s cells respond poorly to insulin, known as insulin resistance, causing the body to behave as if it lacks insulin to some extent. The body compensates by producing more insulin, causing the pancreas to work harder. This results in insufficient insulin levels to meet the body’s needs. Causes of insulin resistance include genetics, obesity, and lack of exercise. - Gestational Diabetes
Usually occurs in women with no prior history of diabetes during pregnancy. After delivery, the diabetes disappears, but this group is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. - Other Types of Diabetes
Such as diseases of the pancreas or congenital disorders related to abnormal insulin function.
What Type of Diabetes is Most Common in Thailand?
In Thailand, the most common type of diabetes is type 2, about 90%, caused by insulin resistance. Normally, when eating, the pancreas tries to produce insulin to lower blood sugar levels. However, insulin resistance causes insulin to be less effective at lowering blood sugar, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
If blood sugar levels remain high for a long time, it can cause sugar toxicity to the pancreas (glucotoxicity), reducing the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin, leading to insulin deficiency as well.
Dr. Ratpong Jiwarangsee
Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital
