What is Diabetes Mellitus? Diabetes is a very common disorder. It is the 8th leading cause of death worldwide. It is projected that the number of individuals with diabetes will almost double by 2030. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by abnormalities in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. The most common feature seen in diabetes is increased blood glucose levels. The main reason for this is either a decreased/ absent insulin production or resistance of the body to the action of insulin or both. The elevated blood glucose levels can lead to long-term complications, especially, in the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. Diabetes Mellitus can be classified into three main types: Type 1 - Insulin-dependent diabetes, Type 2 - Noninsulin-dependent diabetes, and Gestational diabetes mellitus. How does the body normally regulate carbohydrate metabolism? Carbohydrates, mainly glucose, are an important source of energy for living organisms. Some tissues of the body (e.g., brain) need a continuous delivery of glucose. Maintenance of blood glucose concentrations within a normal range is critical to the regulation of normal fuel use by the organs. This is primarily accomplished by the two hormones, Insulin and Glucagon, which are secreted by the alpha and beta cells of the pancreas, respectively. The function of Insulin is to keep the blood glucose in check by helping it to move inside the cells of our body, thereby decreasing its concentration in the blood. Glucagon does exactly the opposite. Other hormones of our body like glucocorticoids, epinephrine and the growth hormone also function like Glucagon. Which are the different types of Diabetes Mellitus? Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus The function of the body's... ... middle of paper ... ...cy. What are the complications of uncontrolled Diabetes? ‘Ketoacidosis’ is a common complication, especially of Type 1 Diabetes. It is the accumulation of ketones and acids in the blood. When the cells cannot utilize glucose as a source of fuel, they breakdown the fats and lead to development of ketoacidosis. In Type 2 Diabetes, very high blood glucose levels and dehydration can lead to a life-threatening condition called as the "non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma". In this condition, the blood glucose may rise to 6–20 times the normal range and unconsciousness may develop. Urgent medical care and re-hydration are required. Besides these, early cataract formation, decreased vision, repeated fungal and bacterial infections, kidney damage, heart disease, muscle weakness and abnormal/decreased sensations, etc., are other common complications of uncontrolled Diabetes.
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
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.
According to Clark, M. L., & Utz, S. (2014) diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and
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.
Other hormones (glucagons, epinephrine, growth hormone, and cortisol) work to oppose the effects of insulin and are often referred to as counterregulatory hormones. These hormones work to increase blood glucose levels by stimulating glucose production and output by the liver and by decreasing the movement of glucose into the cells. Insulin and the these counterregulatory hormones provide a sustained but regulated release of glucose for energy during food intake and periods of fasting and usually maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range. An abnormal production of any or all of these hormones may be present in diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus type 2 is an endocrine disorder that causes impaired use of carbohydrates while enhancing the use of proteins and lipids. This is called insulin resistance, in which the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, or the body is unable to use what is produced. The impairment causes blood glucose level to rise higher than normal. There is no cure for type 2 diabetes mellitus and it is life threatening when left untreated. Signs and symptoms of this disorder include vision changes, increased thirst, increased hunger, increased frequency of urination, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, erectile dysfunction, and absences of mentruation. These can occur abruptly, or over a long period of time. Long-term complications from diabetes include kidney damage, eye damage, and blindness. The risk factors for developing diabetes mellitus include genetics, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, history of diabetes during pregnancy, poor diet, obesity, high cholesterol, and abdominal obesity. Diabetes mellitus can be managed through the use of medication, or by reducing risk factors, such as avoiding obesity, inactivity, and poor nutrition.
The website myclevelandclinic.org defines diabetes mellitus as a, "disease of the pancreas, an organ behind your stomach that produces the hormone insulin. Insulin helps the body use food for energy. When a person has diabetes, the pancreas either cannot produce enough insulin, uses the insulin incorrectly, or both. Insulin works together with glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream to help it enter the body's cells to be burned for energy. If the insulin isn't functioning properly, glucose cannot enter the cells. This causes glucose levels in the blood to rise, creating a condition of high blood sugar or diabetes, and leaving the cells without fuel."
Diabetes is becoming an epidemic. In fact, in 10 years many experts believe that people who suffer from diabetic is going to double. Kids who are as young as 8 years old are now borderline type 2 diabetics.
According to the WebMD, Health Services Group, there is a complication that is usually connected with prediabetes, other then it leading to type 2, like heart disease that can possibly develop in early diabetes ( WebMD, 2015-2017).
Although there are many symptoms for Diabetes, many people fail to see the signs or they choose to ignore them. One sign is frequent urine output, this is caused by high amounts of glucose in the urine. Too much urine output can then lead to dehydration, leading to increased thirst. A human with early signs of diabetes may also experience an increase in appetite and fatigue. The Fluctuations in glucose level can even lead to blurred vision. Some of these signs may not seem too serious at first but when left untreated it can lead to even bigger symptoms such as infections in the gums, skin, bladder or even vaginal areas. It also effects the healing process of the body, sores that normally wouldn’t take long to heal can take more than twice the time normally needed. In more serious cases ...
As diabetes mellitus has 3 different forms, the following report will focus primarily on type 2 diabetes as it is the most prevalent, accounting for 85% of cases (Austalian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2013).
When the blood glucose is higher than the normal levels, this is known as diabetes disease. The body turns the food we eat into glucose or sugar and use it for energy. The insulin is a hormone created by the pancreas to help the glucose get into the cells. The sugar builds up in the blood because either the body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t well use its own insulin (CDC, 2015). In the United States diabetes is known as the seventh leading cause of death. There are different types of diabetes. However, there are two main types of diabetes and these are; Diabetes type 1 and Diabetes type 2 (CDC, 2015).
...in sources of energy. When cells cannot absorb sugar, you can become fatigued or feel exhausted” (Healhline), complain of blurred vision” In the short term, high glucose levels can cause a swelling of the lens in the eye. This leads to blurry vision. Getting your blood sugar under control can help correct vision problems. If blood sugar levels remain high for a long time, other eye problems can occur” (HealthLine), experience nocturia “Elevated glucose levels force fluids from your cells. This increases the amount of fluid delivered to the kidneys. This makes you need to urinate more. It may also eventually make you dehydrated” (Healthline), and have sores and cuts that will not heal “Elevated glucose levels may make it harder for your body to heal. Therefore, injuries like cuts and sores stay open longer. This makes them more susceptible to infection” (HealthLine).
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious disease with complications that may have fatal results in some cases. DKA is defined as an insulin deficiency that occurs when glucose fails to enter insulin into muscles such as: liver and adipose tissue. When there is an accumulation of ketones, it leads to metabolic acidosis which causes nausea and vomiting, as a result fluid and electrolytes are lost (Gibbs). There are many complications of diabetic ketoacidosis, some of the most prevalent are: Cerebral Edema, Hypoglycemia, and Acute Pancreatitis.
The pancreas uses these two hormones in order to monitor blood glucose levels. After a meal, blood glucose usually rises. This is when insulin secretion will start (Nussey S, Whitehead S. “Endocrinology: An Integrated Approach”). Consequently, blood glucose decrease to the normal range. This is how insulin maintains blood levels when is high. However, when blood level falls below normal range, glucagon comes into play. Low blood glucose occurs usually when hungry and during exercise. This will then triggers glucagon secretion. When blood level falls, the body goes into imbalance. Hence is why in order to maintain homeostasis glucagon is crucial. The body will tell the pancreas to increase more glucose and the pancreas will secrete glucagon by taking glycogen from the liver to produce glucose. The glucose will produce energy and will make blood glucose concentration increase (Homeostasis of Insulin and Glucose, Abpischools.org). When the pancreas cannot maintain homeostasis, many problems will arise in the body. When the pancreas fails to produce insulin, type 1 and 2 diabetes can occur. For those with type 1 diabetes, insulin injections will be needed in order to regulate blood glucose level, otherwise, glucose levels will be out of control. For type 2 diabetes, they are not insulin dependent like type 1, however, the body does not create enough in the body. When blood glucose