Other forms of diabetes

Maturity-onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)In this form of diabetes, genetic defects are present in the islet cell. Insulin secretion is restricted. In contrast to type 1 diabetics, MODY does not detect autoantibodies in the blood of the patient. There are 6 different subgroups of this type of diabetes, which are characterized by the defective gene. Approximately 1% of diabetics have this type of disease.
Chronic pancreatitis A chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) can cause diabetes.

Causes and development of diabetes mellitus

The decisive hormone in the regulation of the blood sugar level is insulin. A large part of the carbohydrates ingested through food contains glucose (sugar). This sugar is an important supplier of energy for the human body and is transferred into the blood after absorption through the gastrointestinal tract.

From here it enters the cells under the influence of insulin: After a carbohydrate-rich meal, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream to enable the sugar to be utilized. The hormone makes the cell walls permeable to sugar, so that the cells are sufficiently supplied with nutrients and the sugar level in the blood drops. Insulin is therefore an important control factor for the mobilization and storage of glucose (sugar). Insulin, as a so-called anabolic hormone, is also important for fat and protein metabolism, as it causes fatty tissue, i.e. energy storage for the body, to be built up and protein and the sugar storage substance glycogen to be formed in the liver and muscle tissue. The cells of the pancreas that produce insulin are called beta cells, islet cells or Langerhans’ islets after their discoverer Paul Langerhans.

Symptoms of diabetes: How do I recognize diabetes?

The first signs of diabetes are frequent urination and extreme thirst and it can often lead to unexplained weight loss and persistent fatigue and exhaustion.In babies and children it is usually type 1 diabetes, which occurs and manifests itself, among other things, through frequent urination and very strong thirst, as well as tiredness and exhaustion. During pregnancy diabetes can also develop, but it does not show the typical signs.