How Does Diabetes Affect Homeostasis

Homeostasis Imbalances: Diabetes
Jessica Garcia
Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Professor Garcia March 24th, 2014
Homeostasis Imbalances: Diabetes
Homeostasis is regulation of every system and organ in the body. How does diabetes affect homeostasis? In homeostasis, if the blood glucose level begins to decline, the pancreas releases the hormone glucagon, which then stimulates cells to release glucose into the blood stream. Now when the blood glucose starts to rise, the pancreas releases another hormone which is insulin. Insulin does the opposite of glucagon; it stimulates the cells to remove glucose from the blood. Diabetes is when the body has excess amount of glucose in the blood stream due to the pancreas not secreting enough or no insulin. This causes a positive feedback in increasing the glucose levels which can be fatal if not treated. Insulin is a hormone in which is released in the body to regulate the level of glucose in the blood. Insulin is prescribed to the patient and is to be injected whenever the patient eats so as the glucose levels rise, insulin is
present to decrease it, causing a negative feedback.
Blurred vision, thirst, tiredness, weight loss, frequent urination, and slow healing are some signs and symptoms for diabetes.
If left untreated, over time, high blood glucose levels damages the kidneys’ filtering system and causing kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. The main complication is cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with angina, heart attack, stroke, narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association the risk of stroke is two to four times higher for people with diabetes, and the death rate from heart disease is two to four times higher for people with diabetes than for people without the disease. Other complications if left untreated are chronic renal disease, osteoporosis, eye damage and hearing
impairment.
In negative feedback, with proper diet, exercise, and medication a person with diabetes can live a healthy life. A diabetic diet consists of the following; eating small portions throughout the day, eat less carbohydrates and fat, restricting the amount of salt and sugar, limiting alcohol use, and eat fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods on a daily basis. Exercise is great for the heart and also a great way of burning off energy or extra glucose. When food is consumed it gets broken down in the stomach and releases glucose. Glucose is then released into the blood stream to get absorb into the cells but without insulin the cells will not allow glucose to enter. With the proper prescription of insulin which is usually injected during meal times. Insulin will be present when glucose is released into the blood stream and thus allowing fuel into the cells.
In conclusion, without a proper working pancreas the human body will not be able to function properly and maintain homeostasis. With this imbalance there are many complications like nerve damage, kidney damage, cardiovascular problems and many others as stated above. With proper diet, exercise and medication it is possible to live a healthy and normal life.References
1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/basics/definition/con-20033091
2. Anatomy & Physiology; From Science to Life by Jenkins and Tortura. Pages 9-10.
3. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabeticdiet.html
4. http://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/page.aspx?cat=7001&id=7244
5.
http://insulin-glucagon-and-diabetes.blogspot.com/2009/10/homeostatic-imbalance-diabetes-
mellitus.html