Difference between revisions of "Diabetes mellitus"
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*Diabetes Mellitus Type I - Autoimmune destruction of either insulin itself, or more commonly the insulin secreting cells of the pancreas (beta cells). Patients require intramuscular injections of purified insulin. | *Diabetes Mellitus Type I - Autoimmune destruction of either insulin itself, or more commonly the insulin secreting cells of the pancreas (beta cells). Patients require intramuscular injections of purified insulin. | ||
*Diabetes Mellitus Type II - The cells of the body are rendered unresponsive to normal insulin, either at the level of the receptor or downstream signaling events within the cell. This is also referred to as "insulin resistance" and is highly correlated to obesity. | *Diabetes Mellitus Type II - The cells of the body are rendered unresponsive to normal insulin, either at the level of the receptor or downstream signaling events within the cell. This is also referred to as "insulin resistance" and is highly correlated to obesity. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Treatment == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Type II | ||
| + | - initial treatment for mild cases may be diet and exercise.<br> | ||
| + | - more severe cases requires drugs such as Metformin , glipizide are used to either assist in creating more insulin, or to aid the body in using the insulin present. There is a large range of drugs used to treat diabetes.<br> | ||
| + | - extreme cases may require injections of insulin. This is in cases where drugs are insufficient. <br> | ||
| + | - insulin may be used in cases where very accurate control of blood glucose levels are desired, such as when a diabetic requires an operation or treatment of an injury. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Cautions == | ||
| + | |||
| + | A diabetic may lose feeling in hands and feet because of nerve damage. <br> | ||
| + | It is very important that feet be inspected and any cuts, scrapes or sores are treated promptly. Amputation of the foot is not uncommon where damage has occurred. <br> | ||
| + | A Doctor or Nurse should do an inspection and test of the feet to see how much loss of feeling has occured. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Diabetics also suffer from vision loss , do to damage to blood vessels in the eye. A regular appointment with an Opthamologist is reccomended. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Careful attention to blood glucose control is essential to continued good health. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Portion control and choice of foods to reduce spikes in blood glucose levels is desired. A blood test (A1C) is useful every 6 months to check on blood glucose control. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 19:15, September 18, 2008
Diabetes Mellitus refers to three types of a highly variable disorders with abnormalities in the ability to make and/or use the hormone insulin resulting in hyperglycemia and other metabolic derangements involving fat and protein. Diabetes Mellitus Type I, formally known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, type II, formally known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, and type III (termed gestational diabetes), a form of the disease that arises during pregnancy, are the three principle forms. Diabetes mellitus is not to be confused with Diabetes Insipidus, which does not involve insulin or glucose.
Pathophysiology
- Diabetes Mellitus Type I - Autoimmune destruction of either insulin itself, or more commonly the insulin secreting cells of the pancreas (beta cells). Patients require intramuscular injections of purified insulin.
- Diabetes Mellitus Type II - The cells of the body are rendered unresponsive to normal insulin, either at the level of the receptor or downstream signaling events within the cell. This is also referred to as "insulin resistance" and is highly correlated to obesity.
Treatment
Type II
- initial treatment for mild cases may be diet and exercise.
- more severe cases requires drugs such as Metformin , glipizide are used to either assist in creating more insulin, or to aid the body in using the insulin present. There is a large range of drugs used to treat diabetes.
- extreme cases may require injections of insulin. This is in cases where drugs are insufficient.
- insulin may be used in cases where very accurate control of blood glucose levels are desired, such as when a diabetic requires an operation or treatment of an injury.
Cautions
A diabetic may lose feeling in hands and feet because of nerve damage.
It is very important that feet be inspected and any cuts, scrapes or sores are treated promptly. Amputation of the foot is not uncommon where damage has occurred.
A Doctor or Nurse should do an inspection and test of the feet to see how much loss of feeling has occured.
Diabetics also suffer from vision loss , do to damage to blood vessels in the eye. A regular appointment with an Opthamologist is reccomended.
Careful attention to blood glucose control is essential to continued good health.
Portion control and choice of foods to reduce spikes in blood glucose levels is desired. A blood test (A1C) is useful every 6 months to check on blood glucose control.