Friday, November 20, 2009

Pancreas and Type 1 Diabetes

Symtoms of diabetes appear when pancreas one of the most important organs in our bodies get affected. It lies at the back of the abdomen and performs two main functions. First, it produces a liquid that helps us to digest food. Secondly, it produces an important hormone called ‘Insulin’ that helps in converting glucose from the food to energy for the various cells of the body.

Sometimes, the pancreas gets damaged mainly because of the body’s own immune system. This condition is known as ‘Auto-immune disease’ which destroys the cells of pancreas which results in the lack of insulin required to control the glucose (sugar) level in blood. Once the sugar level increases than the required level, a person begins to show the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.