9/16/2013

Diabetes Mellitus that is characterized by hyperglycemia or dangerously high blood sugar levels can be caused either by not enough secretion of insulin which is generally caused by defects in the pancreas or the development of insulin resistance by cells that lead to the lack of capacity to properly utilize insulin. The first case is known as Type 1 Diabetes and it eventually leads to the rest of the body misidentifying the pancreas as an enemy and attacking it. The second case is known as Type 2 Diabetes in which the resistance to insulin may spread from the few afflicted cells to the nearby muscle and fat tissues. This is often delayed because the body initially reacts to the resistance by trying to contain the defect by having the pancreas excrete larger quantities of insulin. But such increased secreted will end up being futile because the pancreas can only sustain increased secretion for a short period of time while the resistance on the other hand continues to strengthen.



Glucose is a key word in Diabetes Mellitus. It is a vital energy providing nutrient that the body requires for it to be able to sustain normal functions. It is usually found in the form of carbohydrates. The body takes in carbohydrates and breaks it down to extract the glucose and then absorbs it into the bloodstream. The length of time the breaking down needs depends on the quality of the carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are readily absorbable while complex carbohydrates need to be broken down into simples ones first before they are absorbed. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating the transport of glucose into the cells. In both Diabetes Type 1 and Diabetes Type 2 the insulin is either insufficient or not absorbable that the glucose is left in the bloodstream. This leads to glucose starvation for the cells and glucose saturation for the blood. The starvation of the cells will lead to lack of energy and slowed metabolism. The saturation of the blood will lead to high blood pressure, increased risk of organ failures, and sweet urine.



Insulin is another very important term when talking about Diabetes Mellitus. It is a hormone that is excreted by the pancreas. It has two main functions which are to ensure that the glucose is properly delivered into the cells of the body and to prevent the presence of too much glucose in the blood at any given time. Blood sugar level rises after each meal because of the consumption of nutrients. It is therefore important that a diabetic keeps track of what he eats.
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