Diabetes Essay

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INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders which is characterized by hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency or resistance or both reasons. (1) According to that diabetes mellitus can be divided as type I and type II. This is common and its incidence is rising, 171 million people had diabetes in 2000 it is expected this condition to be doubled in 2030. It is spread in all the countries and therefore has become a major burden upon healthcare facilities. (2) “To manage diabetes, patients must take treatment for diabetes. There are two major treatments. They are diet treatment and tablet treatment. Oral anti diabetes drugs sulphonamide (sulphonylureas) and guanidine derivaties (biguanides) are used by 30% of all diabetes.” (6) Metformin is a biguanide which is an effective oral anti hyperglycemia drug which is widely used to control type II diabetes mellitus and more recently in pregnancy. (7) INSULIN AND GLUCAGON The pancreas, in addition to its digestive process has two important hormones, Insulin and Glucagon which are important for the maintenance of blood glucose level at a narrow range. Not only glucose, but also they are important for protein and lipid metabolism. Glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells of the islet of Langerhans and Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of Langerhans. Both are secreted to portal vein. (8) ACTION OF INSULIN Immediately after a high carbohydrate meal, Insulin secrets rapidly due to glucose absorption into blood. This insulin act on many tissues in body and insulin turn causes rapid uptake, storage and use of glucose almost all issues of the body, but especially by the muscles, adipose tissue and liver. (8) ACTION OF GLUCAGON Glucagon hormone has several functions t... ... middle of paper ... ...not only used with Type II Diabetes, but also with gestational diabetes mellitus. It is an effective and safe treatment for pregnant mothers who have diabetes. It also helps to normalize menstrual cycle and it increases the rate of spontaneous ovulation and may improve hirsutism. (7) (5) (4) CONCLUSION Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome which causes relative or absolute insulin deficiency and characterized by hyperglycemia. The most common type is Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Metformin which is a biguanid group drug is the first line treatment for diabetes mellitus. Hypoglycemia does not usually occur with metformin and other advantages are the lower incidence of weight gain. It is mainly absorbed in intestine inhibits the hepetia gluconeogenesis and increases insulin sensitivity. Metformin is contraindicated in patients with hepatic, renal, heart and respiratory failure.

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