ABSTRACT
Diabetes has been known for centuries and is recognized by thirst and sugar in the urine. There was no effective treatment until insulin was isolated by Frederick Banting and Charles Best in Toronto in 1921. The first patient was treated in early 1922 and insulin was introduced commercially by Eli Lilly Company the same year. Type-1 diabetes usually occurs in children and adolescents and results from failure of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin. It can be treated only by insulin administration, usually by injection. Type-2 diabetes results from poor sensitivity to insulin and reduced insulin generation. Type-2 diabetes responds favorably to improved diet and exercise. If necessary it can be treated with several types of drugs including sulfonylureas, biguanides, fibrates, α-glucosidase and lipase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors.
