LESSON 3
DIABETES MELLITUS
3-1.
INTRODUCTION
a. Definition. Diabetes is a term which refers to diseases characterized by
excessive urination. Used alone, the word diabetes refers to diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes, a disease that affects the way the body uses food, causes sugar levels in the
blood to be too high.
b. Normal Digestive Process. In the digestive process, the body changes
sugars, starches, and other foods into a form of sugar called glucose. The blood carries
this glucose to cells throughout the body. Insulin (a hormone) in the body's cells
changes glucose into quick energy which can be used immediately by the cells or
stored for future needs. (Beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin). The body's
process of turning food into energy is critical for survival since the body depends on
food for every action--running, jumping, swimming, thinking, pumping blood, etc.
c. Diabetic Digestive Process. For the diabetic patient, the body does not turn
food into energy in the normal way. The body does change food into glucose, but a
problem arises in the production of insulin. In one type of diabetes (Type I diabetes),
the pancreas cannot make insulin. In another type of diabetes (Type II diabetes), the
pancreas either does not make enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin or
both conditions occur. Without insulin performing its function, cells in the bloodstream
can not use glucose to make energy. What happens is that glucose collects in the
blood giving the diabetic person high sugar levels in the blood, a sign of untreated
diabetes.
d. General Information. Diabetes is a widespread disease affecting about 11
million people or nearly one in every twenty people. Roughly 1 million people have
insulin-dependent diabetes (Type I diabetes). Approximately 10 million persons have
non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Additionally, there are about 5 million people who
have non-insulin-dependent diabetes and do not know they are diabetics. While
diabetes cannot be cured, the disease can be managed effectively.
3-2.
FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF DIABETES MELLITUS
A number of factors influence the risk of a person having diabetes mellitus. Chief
among these factors are over 40, overweight, and a family history of diabetes. Persons
with these characteristics should see a doctor periodically to be tested for diabetes. For
some reason, obesity causes the body to resist using the insulin it produces. Another
factor is that the disease tends to be more common among women than men. Women
giving birth either to many babies or very large babies are at risk. Other factors include
pancreatic disease, injury, or tumor. Some medications are known to increase the risk
of diabetes; for example, steroids (adrenal corticosteroids) and thiazides (thiazide
MD0583
3-2
Previous Page
