16^th European Diabetes and Endocrinology Congress

Anatomy and Physiology of Diabetes

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Pathophysiologic alteration is a change in function as distinguished from a structural defect. Diabetes occurs when there is a dis-balance between the demand and production of the hormone insulin. Pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes is that in this condition the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. There is beta cell deficiency leading to complete insulin deficiency. Whereas in diabetes type 2 there is relative deficiency of insulin and not an absolute deficiency. This means that the body is unable to produce adequate insulin to meet the needs. There is Beta cell deficiency coupled with peripheral insulin resistance. Third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. It is caused when there are excessive counter-insulin hormones of pregnancy. This leads to a state of insulin resistance and high blood sugar in the mother. There may be defective insulin receptors.