Overview of diabetes and treatment-learn the disease inside and out!

Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, as it is called officially, tolls around 3% of the world's population. As we all know, the food we eat is broken down and turns into glucose (sugar), which is carried by the blood cells and converted into energy for the body to carry out its necessary functions. The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps to link sugar to the blood cells, so that energy can be taken to certain areas of the body. A person is diagnosed with diabetes when their pancreas does not produce the right amount of insulin, which can leave extra sugar floating in the bloodstream and is not only a waste of energy, but can also lead to serious problems. If not treated properly and regularly, diabetes can cause damage to eyes, kidneys, nervous system and of course, the heart and circulatory system.



Scientists and doctors worked on the classification of the different types of diabetes better situate people with different conditions. Although there are many types, there are three main divisions of the disease.



Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce insulin period. A recent estimate is that 5-10% of people in the United States who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The best way to deal with this type of diabetes is taking a regular insulin shot. Progress has been made in technology to provide these shots, and now you can get an "insulin pump," a device that is worn around the belt and not much bulkier than a mobile phone. Not only controls the amount of insulin in the blood, but also insulin in the bloodstream through a small tube called a catheter that is inserted under the skin of the wearer. Take regular shots or use insulin pumps, people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are usually able to lead a normal life and they can participate in more sports and daily activities.



Type 2 diabetes is much more prevalent than type 1, with the majority of diabetics in America be categorized under this kind of disease. Type 2 is the result of "insulin resistance." This happens when the insulin is not used properly by cells and is therefore unable to carry out his task to help blood cells absorb sugar. On top of this, many people with type 2 already suffer from a lack of insulin. Type 2 can also be treated with regular insulin shots or an insulin pump, but others have found success through gastric bypass surgery.



The third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This is a disease that is found in pregnant women who have never had diabetes before they become pregnant. After conception, they begin to experience high blood sugar, which means that most of the sugar we are consuming not be properly connected to blood cells. For the most part, this type of diabetes after pregnancy ends, but in some cases, can lead to diabetes type 2 and type 1 also in some rare cases. Gestational diabetes is estimated to hit the 4% of all pregnant women.



All forms of diabetes can be treated; especially insulin become more readily available for medical use throughout the world. However, a constant care has not been found. Doctors agree that the best way to treat diabetes is to avoid it in the first place. A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes. In fact, diabetes was known as "Rich Man's disease" because of its prevalence among communities of the rich and greedy. Of course, now scientists have found that certain forms of diabetes can be passed along genetically. If this is the case, a healthy lifestyle, along with certain specified medical treatments can help those who struggle with diabetes to live a normal life.

An Overview of the Most Common Old Dog Diseases

When discussing old dog diseases, it is always good to ask the question, "What exactly is an old dog?" After all, some ailments are far more commonly known as old dog diseases than others.



Depending on the breed, the meaning of "old" can vary, but it usually starts around 10 years of age. As a dog gets older, its behavior changes too. The signs of aging in a dog are very similar to those of humans. For example, old dogs have reduced energy levels. They sleep longer, they have less enthusiasm for energetic activities, and just don't play like they used to. Older dogs also experience changes in fur and skin (fur becomes matted more frequently, it takes longer for wounds to heal, and old dogs generally become more sensitive to extremes in temperature). And of course, older dogs experience changes in vision and hearing, making it tough sometimes to navigate the house.



Now, there are other, more serious diseases that old dogs are prone to. These include cancer, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes. Let's look at each one in more detail.



Cancer is a tragic disease that can move surprisingly quickly, both in people and in pets. Symptoms include abnormal growths under the skin, as well as swellings that don't go away. Cancer may also manifest itself through bleeding or bloody discharge (from the eyes, mouth, ears, or any other opening). This, combined with difficulty eating, breathing, urinating or pooping, can be symptoms of cancer in old dogs.



Another common ailment is arthritis. Though not as life-threatening as cancer, arthritis in old dogs can be a debilitating disease that robs your pet of much of the enjoyment of life. Symptoms include difficulty rising, stiffness, irritability or reclusiveness. You may also notice that your old dog's muscles are atrophying as his activity level declines.



Kidney disease is also common among old dogs. If you notice increased thirst, urination, coupled with weight loss, your dog may be suffering form kidney malfunction. Vomiting and blood in urine or poop are serious symptoms, and if you notice them, contact your vet immediately. Of course, these symptoms could be caused by one of many old dog diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease or bladder stones. Again, see a vet right away.



Diabetes is common among people, but it is also common among dogs. You may notice increased thirst and urination, weight loss, weakness, and increasing levels of lethargy and depression in a diabetic dog. Diabetes, if left untreated, can be fatal. There is no cure for canine diabetes, but it can be controlled with insulin injections.



Finally, cataracts are also common in older dogs. The eyes become cloudy, the dog is unable to navigate around objects, and stops retrieving objects. Note, however, that all old dogs develop a graying of the eyes which is due to a hardening of the lens. Generally, this does not affect the old dog's ability to see. However, cataracts are a more serious condition that can eventually lead to vision loss. As in humans, canine cataracts can be treated with surgery



An old dog normally suffers some loss in energy and mobility, just like an elderly human. Helping your companion through as he gets older means treating him with extra patience and kindness. Give him more time to sleep, and more time to wake up in the morning. Understand that long walks may not be so long
anymore. Make it easier for him to reach his food, get outside when nature calls, and provide comfortable resting places.



And keep an eye out for symptoms of the more old dog diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, that your pet can be more susceptible to. Your dog will live longer and provide you with more years of loving companionship.

The Therapeutic Management of Insulin and an Overview of Cushing's Syndrome

The management program for any child with diabetes mellitus should involve flexibility and 24 hour insulin coverage and should be able to fit into the child's life-style. The insulin treatment should be determined by the recognition that the effective duration of action of insulin in children may be somewhat different from that in adults. The effective action of insulin is described as the effect of a certain amount of insulin in lowering the blood glucose level over a period of time. Ideally the blood glucose level is maintained at less than 140mg.dL and n lower than 60mg/dL during the time of specific action of the insulin, based on past information regarding the duration of action of the intermediate-acting insulin is 24 hours or more, but in insulin-dependent children it does not appear to be the case. The duration of effective action for intermediate-acting insulin has been found to be 12 to 14 hours. Lente insulin is the longest acting of the intermediate-acting insulin, but it even lasts only for 14 to 16 hours.



In working with these insulin, it is wise to remember that lente insulin is 30% semilente and 70% ultralente. Lente insulin that mix with no other insulin other than regular derive their action from the size and number of crystals-small and numerous crystals= ultralente insulin. Pretamine zinc insulin (PZI) is seldom used today because of its very long duration of action and its very low tissue insulin levels, which may not saturate receptor sites on the cell membrane sufficiently well to effectively help the body utilize the glucose that may be present. The potential overlap of insulin action is unsuited for children, who are active one minute and very inactive the next. The balance that needs to be achieved between insulin, diet, and activity is most difficult when using this type of insulin. The intermediate-acting insulin (other than lente insulin) derive their delayed action from a protein tag. The most commonly used insulin are the intermediate-acting insulin, principally isophane, which are usually given in a single early morning dose combined with a small amount of short- acting insulin (usually regular).



Other types
This category includes secondary diabetes such as steroid-induced diabetes as well as primary diabetes associated with genetic syndromes, drugs or chemical-induced diabetes, and diabetes resulting from pancreatoctomy for hypoglycemia. Syndromes with insulin receptor abnormality are classified in this group.



Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
Formely called "asymptomatic diabetes" "subclinical diabetes", "borderline diabetes", or "latent diabetes". Biochemically intermediate between normal and diabetic glucose intolerance, it probably represents a stage in the development of insulin-dependent of noninsulin dependent. Because few of these individuals develop the full-blown disease, this classification tends to remove the stigma attached to the previous designations which affected the child's self concept as well as insurance and vocational efforts.



Stastistical risk classes
Individuals who do not have demonstrable impairment of glucose tolerance but who:
1. Had previous abnormality of glucose tolerance (formerly labeled "latent chemical diabetes" or "prediabetes") or spontaneous hyper-glycemia but who have normal glucose tolerance at the time of classification.
2. Have potential abnormality of glucose tolerance (previously termed "prediabetes" or "potential diabetes") and includes individuals presumed to be at risk for diabetes on genetic grounds and individuals who have circulating islet cell antibodies.



The most common endocrine disturbance in childhood, diabetes mellitus, caused by defective pancreatic hormone (insulin) secretion.



CUSHING'S SYNDROME



Classic clinical manifestation in children include progressive central obesity, marked failure of longitudinal growth, hirsutism, weakness, a nuchal fat pad (buffalo hump), acne, striae, hypertension and often hyperpigmentation (if ACTH is elevated). The etiology can be exogenous glucocorticoid administration or endogenous causes including adrenal adenoma, carcinoma, nodular adrenal hyperplasia, an ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenoma, resulting in bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, or a very rare ACTH-secreting tumor.



Spontaneous Cushing's Syndrome is rare in childhood. Latrogenic Cushing's syndrome is more common, produces similar clinical manifestations, and may be induced by the use of potent glucocorticoids for chronic inflammatory, neoplastic and collagen-vascular disorders and for suppression of the immune response.



Diabetes Insipidus
The cardiaral signs of this disease ate polyuria and polydipsia. Some patient may seek medical attention for nocturnal enuresis. Polyurea disturbs rest, sleep, play and even schooling, Appetite may be poor. Infants with diabetes insipidus may show hyperthermia, dehydration, electrolyte inbalance, asotemia, dehydration and potentially circulatory collapse. Other signs depend on the causative lesion and may include retardation, cachexia, obesity, sleep disturbance, precocious puberty, visual disturbances and emotional disorders.



Syndromes of endocrine system disorders
1. Syndrome of growth inhibition
2. syndrome of gigantism
3. syndrome of hyperfunction of endocrine gland
4. syndrome of hypofunction of endocrine gland
5. syndrome of hyperglycemia
6. syndrome of hypoglycemia
7. syndrome of mental retardation