Diabetes
DIABETES MELLITUS IS . . .Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that occurs when the body is not able to use sugar. The body needs sugar for growth and energy for daily activities. It gets energy when it changes food into glucose, a form of sugar. A hormone called insulin is needed for the glucose to be taken up and used by the body. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot use the glucose in the blood for energy because either the pancreas is not able to make enough insulin or the insulin that is available is not effective.
Diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood sugar. The high blood sugar leads to sugar in the urine, which in turn causes frequent urination and significant thirst. Severe dehydration, sometimes sufficient to cause unconsciousness, may occur.
There are two main types of Diabetes Mellitus: insulin-dependent (Type I) and noninsulin-dependent (Type II). In insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), the pancreas makes little or no insulin because the insulin-producing beta cells have been destroyed. This type usually appears suddenly and most commonly in younger people under age 30.
In noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM), the pancreas makes some insulin, sometimes too much. The insulin, however, is not effective. This type of diabetes usually develops gradually, most often in people over 40 years of age. NIDDM accounts for 90 to 95% of diabetes.
SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES ARE:
 |
|
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor.
DIAGNOSIS:Screening tests are recommended for people at risk. These are simple blood glucose screening tests done with a drop of blood from a finger.Those at risk include:
- Blood relatives of people with diabetes
- Women with unexplained miscarriages or stillbirths or who have had babies weighing 9 pounds or more at birth.
- African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans.
- People with a condition known as "impaired glucose tolerance".
- People with high blood pressure or very high blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
- People who are obese.
- People over age 65.
 |
If your doctor suspects diabetes, more thorough blood diagnostic tests are ordered.The first is usually a fasting plasma glucose test. If the result is an "abnormal high" then a glucose tolerance test would be performed. |
 |
TREATMENT: IDDM treatment consists of: |
|
NIDDM is controlled by diet, exercise, and daily monitoring of glucose levels. Sometimes oral drugs that lower blood glucose levels or insulin injections are needed.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONABOUT DIABETES MELLITUS:
CALL 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383)
ON THE INTERNET, GO TO . . .
The American Diabetes Associationhttp://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp
NIDDK at the NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease)-Diabetes
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/
NIDDK at the NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease)-Diabetes Treatments
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/treatments/index.htm
National Institutes of Health - Tips to help you feel better and Stay Healthy
http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/TipsFeel_Eng.pdf
Children with Diabetes
http://www.castleweb.com/diabetes/
NIDDK at the NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease)- Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies for Diabetes
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/alternativetherapies/index.htm
Center for Disease Control ( CDC ) - Diabetes Home Page
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
Aetna Intelihealth - Harvard Medical School - Diabetes
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/21054/21054.html?k=navx408x21054
NIDDK - National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disorders:
Medicines for People with Diabetes.
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/medicines_ez/index.htm
To: Dr. C. Everett Koop – Diabetes
http://www.drkoop.com/channel/93/1131.html