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DIABETES MELLITUS
Fastest growing disease and 7th leading Cause of Death in the United States
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is need to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. There are two major types of diabetes:
- Type 1: Auto immune disease in which the body does not produce any insulin. It occurs most often in children and young adults.
- Type 2: Metabolic disorder resulting from the inability of the body to properly use carbohydrates. It is the most common form of the disease.
RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 2:
- Age – people over the age of 45 have the greatest risk
- Obesity – risk increases in people who are over weight.
- Family History – Risk increases with family history
- Exercise = People who do not exercise regularly are a greater risk
- Race & Ethnicity – African Americans, Latinos, Pacific Islander and Native Americans are a greater risk.
SYMPTOMS:
- Frequent urination
- Unusual thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry Vision
- Impotence
*See your doctor right away if you experience one or more of these symptoms.
Approximately 15 million in the U.S. have diabetes, but 1/3 don’t know it.
WHAT TRIGGERS DIABETES?
- Genetics & Obesity
- Genetics & Over utilization of the pancreas
HOW DIABETES WORKS
To maintain a constant blood glucose level, your body relies on two horomones produced in the pancreas that have opposite actions: insulin, made by the beta cells of the pancreas islers and glucagons, made by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islers
INSULIN:
For the cells of the body insulin does the following:
- Stimulates liver and muscle cells to store glycogen
- Stimulates fat cells to form fats from fatty acids and glycogen
- Stimulates liver and muscle cells to make proteins from amino acids
- Inhibits the liver and kidney cells from making glucose from intermediate compounds of metabolic pathways (Ghucomogenesis)
- Slows your metabolism
GLUCAGON
For the cells of the body glucagons does the following:
- Stimulates the liver and muscle to break down stored glycogen and release glucose
- Stimulates Ghuconegensis
The levels of insulin and glucagons are counter – balanced in the bloodstream. After eating, insulin is released to control the amounts of glucose being introduced in the system. During periods of fasting, such as in between meals or at night, when your blood sugar becomes low, glucagons is released into the system to stimulate the release of store glucose. This keeps your blood glucose concentration constant at about 90 mg per 100 ml of blood.
In type 2 diabetes the body does not respond to or can’t use its own insulin (insulin resistance). If your body is not producing or responding to insulin, your cells do not absorb gluclose from the bloodstream, which causes high blood sugar levels.
In addition, because the cells don’t have any glucose coming to them the body thinks it is starving and secretes glucagons to release glucose in the bloodstream, causing the blood glucose level to raise even further.
IMPOTENCE IN MEN WITH DIABETES OVER AGE 50 HAS BEEN REPORTED AS HIGH AS 50%
COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES INCLUDE:
- Impotence – The nerves that cause an erection may be damaged or the penile artery may be block due to damaged blood vessels.
- Blindness – Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness
- Kidney Disease – Diabetes is the leading cause of new – end renal disease.
- Nerve Disease and amputations – Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. About 60 – 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage.
- Heart Disease and Stroke – People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease and to suffer a stroke.
DIAGNOSIS
- Urinalysis- A physical or chemical analysis performed on urine.
- Glucose Tolerance Test – After fasting overnight, you are given a concentrated sugar solution to drink and your blood is sampled periodically over the next several hours to test its glucose levels.
- Glucose Test – A blood test that measures the amount of glucose in the blood
TREATMENT
Oral tablets, diet & Insulin
*Your physician will discuss treatment options.