A variable disorder of carbohydrates
metabolism characterized by the impaired ability of the body to produce or
respond to insulin and thereby maintains proper levels of sugar (glucose) in
the blood.
A variable disorder cause by a combination of
hereditary and environmental factors and unusually characterized by inadequate
secretion of utilization of insulin.
A group of metabolic disease characterized by
hyperglycemia (increase glucose in the blood) resulting from defects in insulin
secretion, insulin action, or both.
Normally, during digestion, the body changes
sugar starches and other foods into a form of sugar called glucose. Then the
blood carries this glucose to cells throughout the body. There, with the help
of Insulin (a hormone). Glucose is changed into quick energy from immediate use
by the cells or is stored for the future needs (Insulin is made in the beta
cells of the pancreas, a small organ that lies behind the stomach). This
process of turning food into energy is crucial, because the body depends on
food for everyday actions, from pumping blood and thinking, to running and
jumping.
In diabetes, something goes wrong with the
normal process of turning food in energy. Food is changed into glucose readily,
but there is a problem with insulin, either it is absent or it is insufficient.
When insulin is absent or insufficient, the glucose in bloodstream cannot be
used by the cells to make energy. Instead, glucose accumulates in the blood
eventually leading to the high sugar levels that are hallmark of untreated
diabetes.
Risk
Factors and Possible Causes of Diabetes Mellitus
Age
All people are vulnerable to the disease
throughout their lives. However, the risk is higher as you grow older. There is
a gradual increase in susceptibility, with slight peaks at puberty and during
pregnancy, until we reach the age of 40. Then there is a rapid jump.
Hereditary
If you have a family history of diabetes, especially
parents or siblings with diabetes, then you’re near the top of the list in
terms of risk. Hereditary is the most important predisposing factor for
diabetes, specially the type 1 diabetes. Type II diabetes also tends to run in
families, but since 80-85 % of all cases occur among people who are over 40 and
over weight, obesity is considered more important in the development of this
form of the disease.
Obesity
80-85 percent of people with type II diabetes
are overweight. It is true that not all overweight people have diabetes. But if
you are obese, you may be setting yourself up for this disease 10-20 years from
now. You are considered obese, if you are more than 20 percent over ideal body
weight.
Race
In the United States the disease is more
common among Africans-Americans, Hispanics and American Indians. More than 40%
of Pima Indians in the United States have type 2 diabetes. However, that race
along does not predict diabetes; it must be combines with another factor, such
as obesity.
Pregnancy
In women having a history of gestational
diabetes or delivery of babies weighing more than 9 pounds.
Diet
The diet that causes an increased risk of
diabetes are: high calories, high fat, high cholesterol, low fiber, salty diet,
and sweets. The presence of the risk factors not predicts diabetes, but it does
suggest a possibility. The more risk factors you have, the grater your chance
of developing diabetes.
While specific causes of diabetes remains a
mystery, there are some triggering factors responsible:
Infections
Injuries
Sedentary living
Smoking
Alcohol
Stress or emotional
upsets lasting for a long time
The main goal of diabetes treatment is to
normalize insulin activity and blood glucose levels to reduce the development
of vascular and neuropathic complications. Therefore, the therapeutic goal for
diabetes management is to achieve normal glucose levels (euglycemia) without
hypoglycemia while maintaining a high quality of life. Diabetes management has
five components
Nutritional therapy
Exercise
Monitoring
Pharmacologic therapy
Education
Treatment varies because of change in
lifestyle and physical and emotional status as well as advances in treatment
method.
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