Question

How does the digestive system affect diabetes?

Answer 1

Hint: Digestive system helps in turning the food into energy and nutrients that are crucial for survival. After the absorption of essential substances the solid waste is packed for disposal by bowel movement. Any complications in this process may lead to different disorders.

Complete answer:
The digestive system consists of the mouth, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver, long intestine and anus. They help in the movement of food and liquid through the GI tract and then break the food and liquid into tiny parts. This lets the body absorb what it needs and where it needs to, the large intestine absorbs the water and converts water into stool. The hormones and nerves help in the commanding of the digestive process.
Pancreas is the main digestive organ which secretes the insulin and glucagon which regulates the blood glucose and results in diabetes.
Pancreas is found in the abdomen at the back of the stomach nearest to the spleen. The cells within the pancreas are alpha cells, beta cells and delta cells out of these two important alpha cells which are responsible for secretion of glucagon hormone which helps in increasing the blood sugar levels whereas beta cells secretes the hormone insulin which decreases the blood sugar levels.
Insulin helps in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins by stimulating the immersion of glucose from the blood. High concentration of insulin in the blood inhibits the glucose secretion and production.
These both maintain and balance the sugar levels in the body and both are crucial.
Diabetes or blood sugar occurs when the production of insulin hormone by the pancreas gets minimal or the produced insulin cannot be used by the body effectively. Glucose comes from the food we eat. The hormone insulin secreted by pancreas helps to transport sugar from the blood into all the cells of the body so that they may store and use it for energy. If sufficient insulin is not produced in the body then glucose stays in the body itself and a disorder known as diabetes occurs due to the digestive system.
The blood sugar levels are abnormally high because the body does not produce enough insulin to meet its needs as a result it can harm the nerves and causes problems with sensation and may damage the blood vessels and result in heart attack or stroke. Therefore by this way the digestive system affects diabetes.

Note: Islets of Langerhans are the crucial site in the pancreas for the development of insulin. Insulin helps the cells in taking glucose. In the absence of insulin the glucose level starts increasing which leads to diabetes.
There are different types of diabetes:
-Type 1 diabetes: In this type a person does not produce any insulin in the body.
-Type 2 diabetes: In this case people are able to produce insulin but are unable to use it efficiently
-Gestational diabetes: It occurs during the time of pregnancy which may affect the infant and mother.