Understanding Diabetes Mellitus - The Key to Effective Management
The term "diabetes mellitus" comes from a Greek word meaning "to siphon" and a Latin word meaning "sweet like honey.
" These words aptly describe the disorder, for water passes through the person who has diabetes as if it were being siphoned from the mouth through the urinary tract and right out of the body.
Furthermore, the urine is sweet wit sugar.
In fact, prior to the discovery of more efficient techniques, one test for diabetes was to pour a patient's urine near an anthill.
If insects were attracted, this indicated the presence of sugar.
Diabetes has been called a "disorder of the very engine of life," and for good reason.
Glucose fuels the body's trillions cells.
To enter the cells, however, it needs a "key"-insulin, a chemical released by the pancreas.
In a healthy person, after a meal, the pancreas responds to increases in the glucose content of the blood, releasing the proper amount of insulin.
The insulin molecules then become attached to receptors on muscle cells and other cells.
This, in turn, activates portals that allow glucose molecules to enter.
Glucose is absorbed and burned by muscles cells.
Thus, the glucose level in the bloodstream returns to normal.
With Type 1 diabetes, insulin is simply not available.
The person's immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Hence, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is sometimes called immune-mediated diabetes.
Factors that can trigger an immune reaction include viruses, toxic chemicals and certain drugs.
Genetic makeup may also be implicated, for Type 1 diabetes often runs in families, and it is most common among Caucasians.
Without the assistance of insulin, the glucose molecules cannot enter into the cells.
Glucose builds ups in the bloodstream, thwarting vital processes and damaging vessel walls.
With Type 2, the body makes insulin but usually not enough.
Moreover, the cells are reluctant to let insulin in-a condition called insulin resistance.
About 90 percent of those with diabetes have Type 2.
Previously, this was referred to as "non-insulin dependent" or "adult onset diabetes.
" However, these terms are imprecise, for up to 40 percent of those with type 2 diabetes require insulin.
The genetic factor in Type 2 diabetes is even stronger but with a greater occurrence among non-Caucasians.
Australian Aborigines and Native Americans are among the most affected, the latter having the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the world.
Researchers are studying the relationship between genetics and obesity, as well as the way excess fat seems to promote insulin resistance in genetically susceptible people.
" These words aptly describe the disorder, for water passes through the person who has diabetes as if it were being siphoned from the mouth through the urinary tract and right out of the body.
Furthermore, the urine is sweet wit sugar.
In fact, prior to the discovery of more efficient techniques, one test for diabetes was to pour a patient's urine near an anthill.
If insects were attracted, this indicated the presence of sugar.
Diabetes has been called a "disorder of the very engine of life," and for good reason.
Glucose fuels the body's trillions cells.
To enter the cells, however, it needs a "key"-insulin, a chemical released by the pancreas.
In a healthy person, after a meal, the pancreas responds to increases in the glucose content of the blood, releasing the proper amount of insulin.
The insulin molecules then become attached to receptors on muscle cells and other cells.
This, in turn, activates portals that allow glucose molecules to enter.
Glucose is absorbed and burned by muscles cells.
Thus, the glucose level in the bloodstream returns to normal.
With Type 1 diabetes, insulin is simply not available.
The person's immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Hence, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is sometimes called immune-mediated diabetes.
Factors that can trigger an immune reaction include viruses, toxic chemicals and certain drugs.
Genetic makeup may also be implicated, for Type 1 diabetes often runs in families, and it is most common among Caucasians.
Without the assistance of insulin, the glucose molecules cannot enter into the cells.
Glucose builds ups in the bloodstream, thwarting vital processes and damaging vessel walls.
With Type 2, the body makes insulin but usually not enough.
Moreover, the cells are reluctant to let insulin in-a condition called insulin resistance.
About 90 percent of those with diabetes have Type 2.
Previously, this was referred to as "non-insulin dependent" or "adult onset diabetes.
" However, these terms are imprecise, for up to 40 percent of those with type 2 diabetes require insulin.
The genetic factor in Type 2 diabetes is even stronger but with a greater occurrence among non-Caucasians.
Australian Aborigines and Native Americans are among the most affected, the latter having the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the world.
Researchers are studying the relationship between genetics and obesity, as well as the way excess fat seems to promote insulin resistance in genetically susceptible people.
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