Diabetes
Science: KS3, topic 1.6.34
Diabetes
Diabetes is a health condition associated with high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes
- Diabetes is when the body cannot control its blood sugar levels.
- The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin.
- Insulin stores the glucose in the cells and regulates blood sugar.
Treating diabetes
- Diabetes is treated by injecting insulin at various times over the day to control blood sugar levels.
- High blood sugar is also called hyperglycemia.
- Low blood sugar is also called hypoglycemia.
Effects of diabetes
- People with high blood sugar levels may:
- Feel thirsty
- Need to urinate frequently
- Feel weak and tired
- Have blurred vision
- Experience unwanted weight loss
Type 1 diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes is when insulin produced in the body is destroyed by the body's own immune system.
- Type 1 diabetes is a condition that people are born with.
Type 2 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or does not react to insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes is linked to poor diet and obesity.
- Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1.
Test yourself on Diabetes
What hormone regulates blood sugar levels?
Why does injecting insulin help control blood sugar in people with diabetes?
Why can blood sugar stay high in a person with type 2 diabetes even though their pancreas still makes insulin?