Diabetes : Should We Be Afraid Of It ??

Diabetes refers to several metabolic disorders with symptoms that include an excessive discharge of urine and a persistent thirst. The term can refer to either of two types of unrelated diseases - Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus. In everyday usage, the term more commonly refers to Diabetes Mellitus.Diabetes MellitusThis is a metabolic disease in which glucose is unable to enter the body's cells and be effectively utilized. As a result, high concentrations of glucose remain in the blood.This high level of blood sugar is known as hyperglycemia and the excessive excretion of sugar in the urine is an important diagnostic symptom.In turn, excreting large amounts of urine causes dehydration and the body experiences an intense thirst.As well, even though there is a high level of blood sugar, this is not recognized by the cells of the hypothalumus which regulate appetite. Consequently, the diabetic person feels a lot of hunger and tends to eat constantly.However, as the glucose is unable to enter and nourish the cells, the tissues are starved and rapid weight loss occurs. Part of this loss is due to the excretion of water in the urine.When the cells are staved of their source of energy because of the low insulin level, diabetics may experience fatique, constant infections, blurred eyesight, numbness, tingling in the hands or legs, slowed healing of bruises or cuts, as well as increased thirst.If the condition persists for too long without treatment the liver produces ketones, which can poison and kill cells if they are allowed to build up, resulting in serious illness and coma.There are two varieties of Diabetes Mellitus: Type I refers to a condition where the hormone insulin is lacking. An important function of insulin is to facilitate the entry of glucose into the cells. Type I was formerly known as Juvenile Onset Diabetes.With Type II of Diabetes Mellitus, insulin is available; however, it cannot be properly be utilized by the body. Type II was formerly known as Maturity Onset Diabetes.What Causes Diabetes?There are three main factors that are thought to contribute to the emergence of diabetes. These are:1. Heredity2. Viral Infections3. Damage to the pancreas (which produces insulin) by the immune systemHeredity is thought to provide some predisposing conditions for the onset of diabetes but is believed to be not in itself sufficient for the disease to occur.There is strong evidence that viral infections are more significant than heredity in the case of Type I diabetes because of the beta-cell destruction that is normal for this type. The viruses that have been implicated include mumps, rubella (German measles), and coxsackievirus B. Virus infection is thought to be not involved in Type II diabetes.The likelihood of the body's immune defense system to attack its own pancreatic tissue, just as if it were a foreign substance, is also thought to be responsible for the beta-cell destruction found with Type I diabetes.Treatment For DiabetesEven in the early, pre-insulin, days management of diet was regarded as a key part of therapy for Type I diabetics. These were often near-starvation diets. The traditional diet for this type is high in protein with limited amounts of carbohydrates. However, since most Type I diabetics are thin, weight reduction is not a usual feature of their program.As well, Type I diabetics usually inject themselves with different types of insulin three or four times a day.For Type II diabetics, weight reduction is a common feature. Special attention is paid to the ingestion of fiber as it has been shown to reduce hyperglycemia.Both types benefit from the careful introduction of foods that consist of complex carbohydrates.Type II diabetes usually occurs with middle age and older people and their cells do not respond normally to insulin. They do not necessarily need to take insulin but, in some cases, may require injections once or twice a day.Diabetes InsipidusThe symptoms of this disease are similar to those described above: they include increased thirst and frequent urination. In this instance, the condition is caused by a low level of vasopressin, which is an anti-diuretic hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland. If not treated, permanent damage to the kidneys can result.One of the treatments is to provide a synthetic form of vasopressin which can be administered as a nasal spray.Diabetes can be a debilitating and even fatal disease. Tests are available which can indicate the presence and severity of the disorder. These are available through a qualified medical practitioner. Self-diagnosis is not recommended.

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