diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia) resulting from defects in insulin production and secretion, decreased cellular response to insulin, or both. This leads to hyperglycemia, which may lead to acute metabolic complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). Longterm hyperglycemia may contribute to chronic microvascular complications (kidney and eye disease) and neuropahtic complications. Diabetes is also associated with an increased occurrence of macrovascular disease, icluding coronay artery disease, (myocardial infarction), cerebrovascular disease (stroke) and peripheral vascular disease.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 (Formerly Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)
About 5%-10% of diabetic patients have type 1 diabetes. Beta cells of the pancreas that normally produce insulin are destroyed by an autoimmune process. Insulin injections are needed to control the blood glucose levels.
Type 1 diabetes has a sudden onset, usually before the age of 30 years.
Type 2 (Formerly Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)
About 90% to 95% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes. It results from a decrease sensitivity to insulin (insulin resistance) or from a decreased amount of insulin production.
Type 2 diabetes is first treated with diet and exercise, then oral hypoglycemic agents as needed.
Type 2 diabetes occurs most frequently in patients older than 30 years of age and in obese patients.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Gestational diabetes is characterized by any degree of glucose intolerance with onset during pregnancy (2nd or 3rd trimester).
It occurs in women 25 years of age or older, women younger than 25 years of age who are obese, women with a family history of diabetes in first-degree relatives, member of certain ethnical racial groups (eg, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, or Pacific Islander). It increases their
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 (Formerly Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)
About 5%-10% of diabetic patients have type 1 diabetes. Beta cells of the pancreas that normally produce insulin are destroyed by an autoimmune process. Insulin injections are needed to control the blood glucose levels.
Type 1 diabetes has a sudden onset, usually before the age of 30 years.
Type 2 (Formerly Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)
About 90% to 95% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes. It results from a decrease sensitivity to insulin (insulin resistance) or from a decreased amount of insulin production.
Type 2 diabetes is first treated with diet and exercise, then oral hypoglycemic agents as needed.
Type 2 diabetes occurs most frequently in patients older than 30 years of age and in obese patients.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Gestational diabetes is characterized by any degree of glucose intolerance with onset during pregnancy (2nd or 3rd trimester).
It occurs in women 25 years of age or older, women younger than 25 years of age who are obese, women with a family history of diabetes in first-degree relatives, member of certain ethnical racial groups (eg, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, or Pacific Islander). It increases their