Diabetes

The disease, diabetes mellitus presents from complications of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Many routes can contribute to the rise of the disease, beta cell dysfunction, insulin release mechanisms fail or tissue cells become insulin resistant from over exposure to high concentrations of glucose. This disorder can be diagnosed as an autoimmune disorder as well, resulting from the destruction of insulin producing β-cells. The chronic effects of such disease processes can lead to critical failures of major bodily systems, such as the kidneys, heart, nerves, and vascular system. Significant microvasuclar and macrovascular complications arise from chronic hyperglycemia caused by diabetes mellitus and will be the main focus of this essay.

The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus rests with the hormone insulin. In a unaffected human, complex sugars are broken down into monosaccharides and released into the blood stream. Insulin is released by the pancreas in response to increased blood sugar levels, which then binds to insulin-receptors on tissue cells. This binding of insulin to the cell, increases permeability of the cell membrane for glucose uptake, providing sources of energy to the cells. In the process, blood glucose levels are lowered and completes the negative feedback loop. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune response. Antibodies form on the insulin producing β-cells in the pancreas, which signals a cellular and humoral immune response. Cytotoxic T-cells and macrophages target and destroy the β-cells, leading to depletion of insulin producting cells and thus absolute insulin deficiency in the individual. Type 2 diabetes presents from the combination of genetic predisposition, environment and diet l...

... middle of paper ...

...uch of the American diet is based on carbohydrates and sugar, both of which are easily accessible and inexpensive. About 25.8 million Americans are affected by diabetes costing the health care system close to 174 billion dollars, as each individual with diabetes pays double in health related costs than normal individuals. Furthermore, 68% of individuals who have had diabetes die of cardiovascular related illness. As the incidence of the disorder continues to increase in the United States, health care providers need to become more aware of the relationship of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Health educators need to emphasize the importance of diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are in order to plateau the occurrence of this disorder. Human reliance on sugar is the reason for this disorder to continue to grow and continue to burden to health care system.