Diabetes Mellitus
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels that result from defects in insulin secretion, or its action, or both. Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes which was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Elevated levels of blood glucose lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term sweet urine.
The most common form of diabetes is Type II, It is sometimes called age-onset or adult-onset diabetes, and this form of diabetes occurs most often in people who are overweight and who do not exercise. Type II is considered a milder form of diabetes because of its slow onset and because it usually can be controlled with diet and oral medication. The consequences of uncontrolled and untreated Type II diabetes, however, are the just as serious as those for Type I.
The causes of diabetes mellitus are unclear; however, there seem to be both hereditary and environmental factors involved. Research has shown that some people who develop diabetes have common genetic markers. In Type II diabetes, age, obesity, and family history of diabetes play a role.
The following people who are at high risk of developing Type II diabetes mellitus * are obese (more than 20% above their ideal body weight) * have a relative with diabetes mellitus * belong to a high-risk ethnic population (African-American, Native American, Hispanic, or Native Hawaiian) * have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 lbs. (4 kg) * have high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or above) * have a high density lipoprotein cholesterol level less than or equal to 35 mg/dL and/or a triglyceride level greater than or equal to 250 mg/dL * have had impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose on previous testing
Symptoms
Symptoms of a patient who is suffering Type II Diabetes *
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels that result from defects in insulin secretion, or its action, or both. Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes which was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Elevated levels of blood glucose lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term sweet urine.
The most common form of diabetes is Type II, It is sometimes called age-onset or adult-onset diabetes, and this form of diabetes occurs most often in people who are overweight and who do not exercise. Type II is considered a milder form of diabetes because of its slow onset and because it usually can be controlled with diet and oral medication. The consequences of uncontrolled and untreated Type II diabetes, however, are the just as serious as those for Type I.
The causes of diabetes mellitus are unclear; however, there seem to be both hereditary and environmental factors involved. Research has shown that some people who develop diabetes have common genetic markers. In Type II diabetes, age, obesity, and family history of diabetes play a role.
The following people who are at high risk of developing Type II diabetes mellitus * are obese (more than 20% above their ideal body weight) * have a relative with diabetes mellitus * belong to a high-risk ethnic population (African-American, Native American, Hispanic, or Native Hawaiian) * have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 lbs. (4 kg) * have high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or above) * have a high density lipoprotein cholesterol level less than or equal to 35 mg/dL and/or a triglyceride level greater than or equal to 250 mg/dL * have had impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose on previous testing
Symptoms
Symptoms of a patient who is suffering Type II Diabetes *