Diabetes
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease associated with the inability to store and metabolise glucose effectively. In the UK alone there are just under 3 million people diagnosed with diabetes and approximately 850,000 who are not aware that they have it. (Nhs.uk, 2014)
Because the transporters for glucose to be stored and metabolised are Insulin dependent in most areas of the body (except the Blood Brain Barrier), an absence or deficiency in Insulin results in Increased levels of glucose in the blood. Diabetes is diagnosed when the blood glucose level of a normal healthy individual is above 11.1mmol/l and in a fasting state above 7mmol/l. Diabetes can occur because of two factors:
Due to the inability to produce Insulin from the Pancreatic Beta cells located in the Islet of Langerhans. This occurs because the Body’s Immune system identifies the Beta cells as “foreign” material. B lymphocytes synthesise antibodies specific to the Beta cell and these cause more B and T lymphocytes to travel to the Islets. T cells are also involved and secrete chemical messengers called cytokines which allow communication between the immune cells to co-ordinate the attack. Cytokines advocate the necrosis of Beta cells and, and this leads to a larger production of Immunoglobins targeting specifically the Insulin within them. This causes the Beta cells to swell up also known as “Insulitis”, and is the early stages of Diabetes. Most people don’t realise they are developing diabetes because symptoms apparent for several years, and by this time over 90% of their Beta cells are destroyed and are unable to be restored. This is referred to as “Insulin Dependent Diabetes” and occurs in the early stages of life usually between the ages of 5 and 20...
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...ng - Diabetes UK. [online] Available at: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Monitoring/Testing/ [Accessed 21 May. 2014].
Articles
Mozo, V. (2010). How High Sugar Level in Blood Damages the Blood Vessels - Biology Online. [online] Biology-online.org. Available at: http://www.biology-online.org/articles/high-sugar-level-blood-damages.html [Accessed 22 May. 2014].
House, P. (n.d.). Top 10 Foods Highest in Carbohydrates (To Limit or Avoid). [online] Healthaliciousness.com. Available at: http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-carbohydrates.php [Accessed 20 May. 2014].
Books
Katzen, H. and Mahler, R. (1977). Diabetes, obesity, and vascular disease. 1st ed. Washington: Hemisphere Pub. Corp. ; New York : distributed by Halsted Press, p.637.
Gan, D. (2003). Diabetes atlas. 1st ed. Brussels: International Diabetes Federation, p.73.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is also referred to as insulin-dependent as the secretion of the hormone insulin by the pancreas is reduced to minor levels due to the destruction of the pancreatic beta cells by immune system of the body. Therefore, Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition due to the fact that the body is harming the pancreas with antibodies so beta cells cannot make any insulin for bloodstream to take in glucose. The fact that the cells in the body cannot take in glucose means that it builds up in the blood and hyperglycaemia occurs. This abnormally high level of blood glucose is able to harm the nervous system, tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, heart and the eyes. Type 1 Diabetes is fatal when left untreated as it then causes heart disease, kidney disease, damage to the nerves, stroke and
Diabetes mellitus, habitually referred to as diabetes is caused by a decline in insulin secretion by the cells of the pancreatic islet resulting into a surge in blood glucose concentration, a condition known as hyperglycemia. Diabetes insipidus is a disorder defined by the secretion of huge quantities of highly diluted urine, this is regardless if a reduction in fluid intake. This is as a result of a deficit of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) also known as vasopressin produced by the posterior pituitary gland. The disorder diabetes mellitus is associated by extreme reduction in weight, a higher urge for urination, also known as polyuria, higher levels of thirst (polydipsia) and an extreme craving to eat known as polyphagia. This disorder has been categorized as Type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes and Type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes another type is the Gestational diabetes. The Type 1 diabetes mellitus is portrayed by a deficiency of the insulin-secreting beta cells of the islets of Langerhans found in the pancreas, this leads to a shortage of insulin. The principal cause for this deficiency of beta cells is a T-cell mediated autoimmune onslaught. In children, Type1 diabetes is known as juvenile diabetes. The Type 2 diabetes mellitus is as a result of insulin resistance or diminished insulin sensitivity coupled to a reduction in insulin production.
Diabetes is a disease in which a person’s body in unable to make or utilize insulin properly which affects blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas, which helps to regulate glucose (sugar) levels, break down carbohydrates and fats, and is essential to produce the body’s energy. The CDC (2013) offers reliable insight, summarized here, into the different types of diabetes, some causes, and health complications that may arise from the disease.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a condition in the body that is related to a faulty metabolism. It means that the body’s metabolism is not functioning properly, which leads to adverse effects in the health. The food we ingest, gets broken down into blood sugar (glucose), which is what fuels our body in the form of energy. This converted glucose needs to enter our cells so that it can be used for energy and growth. And in order for the glucose to enter our cells, there needs to be insulin present, which the beta cells of the pancreas is responsible for producing. This hormone is responsible for maintaining glucose level in the blood. It allows the body cells to use glucose as a main energy source.
Diabetes type 1 occur when the immune system destroys the beta cells, they are responsible to create insulin and are located
RN, D. S. (n.d.). What Is a Normal Blood Sugar Level? Retrieved January 04, 2017, from http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/what-is-a-normal-blood-sugar-level/
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases that almost every family is suffering these days with one or more family members globally. But most people are still unaware the causes, symptoms and treatment of diabetes. Diabetes, in a simple language, is directly related to our digestion system. Whatever we eat, we need to digest and for digestion our food breaks into small pieces of glucose or sugar. This sugar then goes to our blood cells and gives us energy to work for the day. Now to transfer glucose to our blood cells, we need insulin that is made by pancreas. If due to some reasons, our pancreas is not able to produce enough amount of insulin to transfer glucose into the blood cells, the condition is known as diabetes, and the person suffering from this disease is called as a diabetic.
Insulin is a main component in the regulation of the body’s metabolism. Insulin is regulated by digestion processes. At the beginning of digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and other sugar molecules. Glucose is then directly absorbed into the bloodstream which causes blood glucose levels to peak. At the same time, the pancreas releases insulin to allow the glucose to be absorbed into cells either to be used as energy or stored. Once levels are balanced, the pancreas reduces production of insulin. In a patient with Type II diabetes, insulin may be produced and able to attach to receptor cells but glucose is unable to move into the cell to be used. As the disease progresses, the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin to overcome the resistance. This causes the beta cells to become damaged which results in permanent hyperglycemia (Diabetes- Type 2).
Type 1 diabetes, which is usually known for striking children and young adults, develops when the body’s immune system destroys Pancreatic Beta cells. Pancreatic Beta cells are the only cells that regulate blood glucose. Patients with this type of diabetes usually need several insulin injections a day or and insulin pump to maintain or survive. Family history, Autoimmune disease, where the body mistakenly attacks the insulin producing cells, and environmental factors are risks factors of type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that is represented by high levels in blood sugar. This results from defects within the insulin and how it works.
Diabetes is a disease that causes an abnormally high level of sugar, or glucose, to build up in the blood. Glucose comes from food we consume and also from our liver and muscles. Blood delivers glucose to all the cells in the body. In people without diabetes, the pancreas makes a chemical called insulin which is released into the blood stream. Insulin helps the glucose from the food get into cells. When the pancreas doesn’t make insulin, it can’t get into the cells and the insulin stays in the blood stream. The blood glucose level gets very high, causing the person to have type one diabetes.
Diabetes affects 18.2 million people in the United States. It is often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus and described as, “… a metabolic disease in which the person has high blood sugar …” (Collazo- Clavell et all. 2009), either because the insulin is inadequate or the body’s cells don’t respond well to the insulin. The health and economic consequences of diabetes are considerable. The majority of people that have diabetes live in low and middle income countries, where the prevalence of the disease is high. There are three types of diabetes that are called type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Although diabetes is a disorder, it can lead to other diseases such as heart attack, kidney failure or death. A person that has diabetes has to maintain a healthy lifestyle, by eating the right diet, controlling their blood sugar level, and be optimistic.
The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus in is related to the insulin hormone. Insulin is secreted by cells in the pancreas and is responsible for regulating the level of glucose in the bloodstream. It also aids the body in breaking down the glucose to be used as energy. When someone suffers from diabetes, however, the body does not break down the glucose in the blood as a result of abnormal insulin metabolism. When there are elevated levels of glucose in the blood, it is known as hyperglycemia. If the levels continue to remain high over an extended period of time, damage can be done to the kidneys, cardiovascular systems; you can get eye disorders, or even cause nerve damage. When the glucose levels are low in one’s body, it is called hypoglycemia. A person begins to feel very jittery, and possibly dizzy. If that occurs over a period of time, the person can possibly faint. Diabetes mellitus occurs in three different forms - type 1, type 2, and gestational.
The pancreas regulates blood glucose levels and plays a key role in metabolism. The pancreas helps break down food in the small intestine by digestive juices and enzymes. One of the hormones the pancreas produces is insulin. This hormone is responsible for regulating glucose. All the cells in the body requires glucose for energy. If your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t properly make use of it than, the glucose builds up in the bloodstream. This can lead to hyperglycemia which is a deficiency of insulin secretion or decrease sensitivity of receptors on the target cells. Diabetes mellitus condition can exist in three different forms, type one, type two, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Type one is also called insulin dependent
Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar. Glucose is vital to your health because it's an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. Glucose comes from two different sources, your liver and food. It's also your brain's main source of fuel. Glucose is made and stored in the liver. When your blood sugar gets low then your liver will use the stored glucose to keep your blood sugar level normal. If you have diabetes it means you have too much glucose in your blood. This is where insulin comes in. Diabetes is a growing epidemic in America's many nutritional diseases. There are a few factors that can cause or increase a person's chance of getting diabetes. Poor nutritional choices are a big factor in the cause of diabetes. The sad part is the increase is happening to the young children and teenagers in America. I will talk about what diabetes is, the increase in diabetes and why it’s so high, the complications that follow the diagnosis, and how it can be treated or reduced with diet and exercise.