6/17/2013

Diabetes Mellitus is probably one of the most common diseases many people today are experiencing. This disease can lead to other diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, hypertension and renal failure which also makes it one of the most fatal diseases ever known. But what exactly is Diabetes? What are some of the causes of this disease?



Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a condition in which necessary macro nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates and protein fail to metabolize due to the inadequate levels of insulin. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. It is secreted to help the body metabolize its supply of carbohydrates. Without an adequate supply of this hormone, the levels of sugar inside the body can increase and the byproducts of these metabolites can be toxic.



There are three kinds of Diabetes Mellitus and the causes and treatments would depend on the kind of DM someone is experiencing.



Type 1 is also known as the juvenile type of Diabetes Mellitus. As the name suggests, the onset of this disease is within the early years of childhood. It is hereditary in nature; passed on from mother to daughter, father to son. This type is common in auto immune cases where the body's own defenses destroy the cells that produce insulin. Type 1 can also occur in cases where severe accidents have destroyed the pancreas where insulin is synthesized and secreted. This disease can also worsen when strict measures to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle are not being followed. The patient will undergoes an acidotic state wherein toxic byproducts of un metabolized carbohydrates known as ketones make the blood so acidic that it would eventually lead to coma. The treatment needed for this type of DM would include a lifetime use of insulin to regulate blood sugar.



Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is also known as the Old age onset type of DM. It usually occurs in middle adulthood and one of the most common cause of this disease is obesity and lack of exercise. Unlike type 1, The patient also undergoes a diabetic state where blood sugar rises to abnormal levels but there are no formation of ketones. This is Also known as Non Ketotic Hyper Osmolar Coma.Since this disease is mostly linked to obesity, it can trigger other diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and vascular problems. Most of the risk factors of this disease is modifiable with healthy diet and exercise. And the manifestations can be alleviated by a lifetime use of hypoglycemic agents that decrease the levels of blood sugar in the body. Sometimes insulin can also be incorporated in the treatment regimen.



Type 3 Diabetes Mellitus is also known as the Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. This type of DM occurs during pregnancy and the mother may return to her normal state again as soon as the baby is delivered. It is mostly treated by insulin given parenterally to reduce the blood sugar levels. Unlike the treatment for type 1 and 2, the treatment for this disease is temporary. Though it seem to be the least serious type of DM, it can also be life threatening because it is directly linked to Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) or Pre Ecclampsia. High levels of sugar during pregnancy can also lead to type 2 DM for mothers. As for the Baby, The infant born will be macrosomic (big in size) due to the abundant supply of sugar the baby is taking in during fetal development. But after the supply has run out, due to the abrupt delivery, the baby is likely to suffer from hypo glycemia or abnormally low levels of sugar which could also be life threatening. And once the baby is born, The infant is likely suffer from either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the near future. The only way to reduce the risk is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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