Diabetes is an incurable chronic disease caused by a lack or misuse of insulin by the body, which leads to an excess of sugar in the blood.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It allows the sugar in the food to be used by the human body cells. The cells are then able to access the energy needed to function properly.

For the diabetic person, the absence or insufficiency of insulin provokes an increase in the quantity of glucose in the blood. This increase brings severe chronic complications, damaging the eyes, kidneys, small and large blood vessels and the nerves.

Two types of diabetes exist: diabetes of type 1 and type 2.

Diabetes of type 1 happens when the pancreas completely stops secreting insulin. Diabetic persons of type 1 represent 10% of the diabetics.

In the case of diabetics of type 2 , the pancreas doesn’t secrete enough insulin or the organism is unable to use the insulin adequately. This type of diabetes represents 90% of the cases.

To learn more about diabetes, visit Diabète Québec’s website.