ETIOLOGY OF DIABETES: Section 1
When we disuss the origin of a disease we refer to it as its etiology. Diabetes is classified as a 'metabolic' disease meaning that it arises from problems with the bio-chemical systems that keep the human body functioning properly.
Specifically, diabetes results that an inability to regulate glucose properly. Glucose is produced when the body breaks down food (in particular, carbohydrate) and it is used used by the cells of the body for energy. It is, in effect, the body's principal 'fuel'. Because the human body needs energy to function, if the body cannot utilize it's 'fuel' correctly there can be complications. These complications range from feeling tired and lacking energy (lethargy) to the dangerous build-up of unused glucose in the blood.
