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.
Our body obtains the energy by digesting the carbohydrates into glucose. Volumes of glucose are required by the body to create ATP. ATP is short for 'Adenosine Triphosphate ' and is an energy carrier. When we consume too many carbohydrates our body produces a lot of glucose and as a result blood glucose levels rise and sometimes they may rise over the normal range of blood glucose concentration. To bring it back within the healthy range, the homeostatic system of blood glucose regulation is used. The blood flows through the pancreas where the beta cells, receptors, detect the high blood glucose level. To counteract this stimuli beta cells alert the control centre, which are also the beta cells located in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The secretion of insulin has to be done quickly but can only be carried out when insulin gene is switched on. Turning on the insulin gene switch can take 30 minutes to an hour therefore, the production of insulin by beta cells are done in advance and are packaged in vesicles right until blood glucose rises. Glucose comes into the beta cell to trigger the vesicle that contains the insulin to move towards the plasma membrane and fuse. This releases the insulin into the bloodstream where they are distributed throughout the body and only affect specific target cells. The receptor, a protein, on the target cell’s plasma membrane recognises and connects
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.
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).
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.
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.
...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).
When the blood sugar levels aren’t normal, it’s a disease called diabetes. Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a deficiency of the hormone insulin or the inhibition of its action with the cells. The insulin acts like a bridge between the glucose and the cells. In the US there are about 16 million people who suffer from diabetes. It is the seventh most common cause of all deaths. Diabetes is most common in Native American females over 45 years of age.
There are many symptoms of type one diabetes. They include drinking irritability, excessive urination, extreme weight loss, feeling very hungry or tired, sores that don’t heal and blurry eyesight. The cause of type one diabetes is unknown, although genetic tendency and childhood infections are two possibilities. The pancreas undergoes a change and cells that normally produce insulin are destroyed. This may be a result of the body’s own immune system believing the pancreas is a foreign organ. Also, type one diabetes often appears at times of physical stress and during illness when the body produces extra ...
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.
There are several comorbidities that are associated with diabetes, such as renal failure, glaucoma and other eye diseases, neuropathy, strokes, and high blood pressure. Diabetes is considered to be an expensive disease due to the associated comorbidities.
The body uses glucose for the main source of energy and all the body's cells use glucose to function properly. Some cells can not function with out glucose, brain cells can have permanent damage when there is very low levels of glucose in the body. Insulin is needed in the body to allow the glucose to enter the cells. If the body does not have enough insulin the patient will have a high blood sugar but it can not get into the cells to be used.
When somebody has diabetes, their body can’t keep up with healthy levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar that is the main source of energy for our bodies. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long term and short term health complications and problems.
Diabetes mellitus (or diabetes) is a chronic, lifelong condition that affects your body's ability to use the energy in food. This means that a person has too much glucose in the blood. There are three major types of diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. All types of diabetes mellitus have something in common. Normally, your body breaks down the sugars and carbohydrates you eat into a special sugar called glucose. Glucose fuels the cells in your body. But the cells need insulin, a hormone, in your bloodstream in order to take in the glucose and use it for energy. Insulin is produced in the pancrea...