Bhupesh Chandra Semwal 1* Sonia Singh1, Dr. Kalyani Divakar2

Introduction-Diabetes mellitus often referred to simply as diabetes. Diabetes is a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and abnormally high blood sugar, hyperglycemia resulting from insufficient levels of the hormone insulin. The world health organization recognizes three main forms of diabetes mellitus type1 type2 and gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurring during pregnancy. Which have different causes and population distributions. While, ultimately, all forms are due to the beta cells of the pancreas being unable to produce sufficient insulin to prevent hyperglycemia, the causes are different. All types have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921. Type 1 diabetes, in which insulin is not secreted by the pancreas, is directly treatable only with injected insulin, although dietary and other lifestyle adjustments are part of management. Type 2 may be managed with a combination of dietary treatment, tablets and injections and, frequently, insulin supplementation. While insulin was originally produced from natural sources such as porcine pancreas, most insulin used today is produced through genetic engineering, either as a direct copy of human insulin, or human insulin with modified molecules that provide different onset and duration of action. Insulin can also be delivered continuously by a specialized pump which subcutaneously provides insulin through a changeable catheter1.

Classification of diabetes-

Type one diabetes mellitus

Type two diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus2

Signs and symptoms-

Frequent urination, Excessive thirst, Extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, Increased fatigue, Irritability, Blurry vision 3

Top Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity

An excessively high body weight increases diabetes risk. The Body Mass Index ( BMI) is a simple, widely accepted means of assessing body weight in relation to health for most people aged 20 to 65 (Exceptions include people who are very muscular, athletes, pregnant or nursing.) A BMI greater than 27 indicates a risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other health problems which include cardiovascular disease, and premature death.

Apple-shaped figure

Individuals who carry most of their weight in the trunk of their bodies (i.e., above the hips) tend to have a higher risk of diabetes than those of similar weight with a pear-shaped body (excess fat carried mainly in the hips and thighs). A waist measurement of more than 100 cm (39.5 inches) in men and 95 cm (37.5 inches) in women suggests an increased risk.

Sedentary lifestyle

Being overweight – another risk factor for Type 2 – can be prevented by regular physical activity. A second, independent benefit of regular physical activity is improved blood sugar control in persons who already have type 2 diabetes.

Unhealthy Eating Habits

Ninety% of people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Unhealthy eating contributes largely to obesity. Too much fat, not enough fiber, and too many simple carbohydrates all contribute to a diagnosis of diabetes. Eating right is can turn the diagnosis around and reverse or prevent Type 2.

Increased Age

            It’s a sad but true fact. Age increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.  The older we get, the greater our risk of type 2 diabetes. Even if an elderly person is thin, they still may be predisposed to getting diabetes. Scientists theorize that the pancreas ages right along with us, and doesn’t pump insulin as efficiently as it did when we were younger. Also, as our cells age, they become more resistant to insulin as well.

 High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

            High BP and high cholesterol are the hallmark risk factors for many diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes. More than 40 percent of people with diabetes have abnormal levels of cholesterol and similar fatty substances that circulate in the blood. These abnormalities appear to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease among persons with diabetes.

Family History and Genetics

            It appears that people who have family members who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk for developing it themselves. African Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans all have a higher than normal rate of type 2 diabetes.

History of Diabetes in Pregnancy

            Nearly 40 percent of the women who have diabetes during their pregnancy go on to develop type 2 diabetes later, usually within five to ten years of giving birth. Giving birth to a baby that weighs more than nine pounds (4 kg) is another symptom of gestational diabetes.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

            Impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose can precede the development of type 2 diabetes. These conditions are determined through blood tests. While persons affected with these problems do not meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes, their blood sugar control and reaction to sugar loads are considered to be abnormal. This places them at higher risk, not just for the development of type 2 diabetes (an estimated one in ten progress to type 2 diabetes within five years), but also for cardiovascular disease. For this group, preventive strategies including lifestyle changes and regular screening for diabetes mellitus must be a priority4.

Alternative medicine for treatment of diabetes-

 Ginseng -Although there are several different types of ginseng, most of the promising studies on ginseng and diabetes have used North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Those studies have shown that North American ginseng may improve blood sugar control and glycosylated hemoglobin (a form of hemoglobin in the blood used to monitor blood glucose levels over time) levels.

 Chromium-    Chromium is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and helps body cells properly respond to insulin.

 Magnesium-  Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and in nutritional supplements.Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions. It helps regulate blood sugar levels and is needed for normal muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, immune function, blood pressure, and for bone health. Some studies suggest that low magnesium levels may worsen blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes. There is also some evidence that magnesium supplementation may help with insulin resistance.

Cinnamon-Cinnamon is a glycosides it improves blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.

 Zinc-   The mineral zinc plays an important role in the production and storage of insulin. There is some research showing that people with type 2 diabetes have suboptimal zinc status due to decreased absorption and increased excretion of zinc. Food sources of zinc include fresh oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecans, split peas, egg yolk, rye, beef liver, lima beans, almonds, walnuts, sardines, chicken, and buckwheat.

 Aloe Vera Gel-Although aloe vera gel is better known as a home remedy for minor burns and other skin conditions, recent animal studies suggest that aloe vera gel may help people with diabetes. A Japanese study evaluated the effect of aloe vera gel on blood sugar. Researchers isolated a number of active phytosterol compounds from the gel that were found to reduce blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels.

Gymnema- Several preliminary studies suggest that the herb gymnema can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Because gymnema may lower blood sugar levels, people taking medications for diabetes or using insulin shouldn’t take gymnema unless they are closely monitored by their health care provider

Vanadium-Vanadium is a trace mineral found naturally in soil and many foods. It is also produced during the burning of petroleum. Vanadium has been found to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It appears to mimic many of the actions of insulin in the body. The use of vanadium for diabetes, particularly without the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner, is not recommended, because the dose needed to affect blood glucose levels can be potentially toxic. The typical amount of vanadium found in the average diet (less than 30 micrograms per day) appears to have little toxicity5.

Neem- The leaves of Neem posses’ anti-diabetic properties. The juices of these leaves are helpful in controlling the blood sugar level in diabetics. Neem is in fact an herbal medicine used for the treatment of various other diseases also such as skin problems, warm infections, ulcer etc.

Sweet potato leaves- The leaves of sweet potato are high value in preventing diabetes, by lowering blood sugar level. It is highly nutritious vegetable. Preparation of sweet potato leaves is used in the tea of diabetic patients.

Madhuca- The Indian name for Madhuca is Madhua it is also posses’ excellent anti-diabetic properties and it is highly beneficial in treating raised blood sugar levels.

Mango leaves- The leaves of Mango helps in lowering the blood sugar levels in diabetics. The fresh leaves of mango are socked in water for an overnight. Then they are squeezed well in the water before filtering them in the morning6.

 Discussion and Conclusion- Managements of diabetes with the agents devoid of any side effects is still challenge for the medical system. This has lead to increase in the demand for natural products with antihyperglycemic activity having fewer side effects. Metabolic imbalance causing diabetes mellitus is a characteristic of materialistic world. Differences in social structure, psychic stress, obesity, hormonal imbalance and heredity are optimizing the growth of pandemic. Increasing population with diabetes has a huge requirement of effective remediation. The vast variety of medicinal plants, which are used traditionally for their anti-diabetic property. However, careful assessment including sustainability of such herbs, ecological and seasonal variation in activity of phyto-constituents, metal contents of crude herbal anti-diabetic drugs, thorough toxicity study and cost effectiveness is required for their popularity. These efforts may provide treatment for all and justify the role of novel traditional medicinal plants having anti-diabetic potentials.

 

References

http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com/diabetes_herbs.htm

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/002072.htm

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-symptoms.jsp

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ccdpc-cpcmc/diabetes-diabete/english/risk/index.html

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsatod/a/Diabetes.htm

http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com/diabetes_treatment.htm

 



By: Bhupesh Chandra Semwal

About the Author:

Diabetes Mellitus, or diabetes, is a disease that is caused by the body’s inability to turn sugars into energy. Diabetes causes the sugars that your body does not turn into energy to enter your blood stream and causes your kidneys, which filter the blood, to work harder than is necessary. If your kidneys cannot properly filter the sugars from your blood, the result is more frequent urination, dehydration, and loss of energy.

Diabetes Mellitus is diagnosed when your body’s fasting blood glucose level (amount of sugar in the blood) reaches 126 milligrams/deciliter. You can be diagnosed as having different stages of diabetes mellitus. One diagnosis is pre-diabetes. You are diagnosed with pre-diabetes if your blood glucose levels are higher than is normal when tested, but you are not yet experiencing the symptoms of diabetes. People who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes are at higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes at a later time, and are at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke. If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, your physician will suggest changes in your lifestyle in order to offset the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. This will include eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.

Diabetes Mellitus – Metabolism Disease

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease – caused when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is the natural hormone in your body that helps turn sugars into energy by moving these sugars from the blood stream to the muscle, fat, and liver cells. The muscle, fat, and liver cells then use the sugars as fuel for your body. Your body needs a certain level of energy to enable your internal organs to function properly. Your body also needs energy to perform the daily activities involved in leading a normal life.

If your body does not produce enough energy for your internal organs to function and for you to perform activities, you have a low metabolism – and you can often be tired, irritable, and experience bouts of fatigue. If your body produces more energy than you are using, you have a high metabolism and may be restless, fidgety, and experience bouts of hyperactivity.

Other Risks Involved With Diabetes Mellitus

There are other health risks involved with diabetes mellitus. The risk of heart disease and strokes is increased in patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes and other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, abnormal cholesterol, and high triglycerides. The more factors involved, the more your chance of dying from heart disease or stroke increases.

The Importance of Preventive Measures in Diabetes Mellitus

Although diabetes mellitus is a controllable disease, the combination of diabetes and other risk factors decreases your chance of living a normal life span. It is very important that you take steps before you are diagnosed with diabetes to prevent its onset or to delay the onset as long as possible.

The single most important step you can take in the prevention of diabetes is to live a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes many different aspects of your life. Eating a healthy diet is essential to helping your body to perform its normal tasks as naturally as possible. A regular exercise routine is essential to maintaining a healthy weight and in keeping your muscles toned, which allows your muscles to assist your internal organs in performing their tasks. Avoiding stress, or learning how to deal with stress in a healthy manner, helps your brain and nervous system to work with other parts of your body to perform the tasks needed to sustain life.

It is important that you realize how your body works together – and how the things that you do on a daily basis can prevent your body from performing the tasks necessary. Beginning a healthy lifestyle as early as possible gives you the best chance to avoid the risks associated with diabetes mellitus – and decreases the chances of the other factors that may come into play – thereby decreasing your risks of more serious diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Both your physical condition and your mental condition play an important role in your overall health.



By: Dr John Anne

About the Author:

Good glycemic foods tend to absorb slowly into the system, allowing the body to break down the refined sugars and starches so that the body can digest them properly. People with Type I and Type II diabetes have a difficult time digesting carbohydrates, particularly those that are high on the glycemic index, and this lack of proper digestion makes it difficult for the diabetic to expel glucose from their blood,. While most diabetics are wise to avoid most, if not all carbohydrates, as these are what are the most difficult to digest and break down, certain carbohydrates are better than others for diabetics to consume.

Good glycemic foods tend to have a low score on the Glycemic Index that was developed in 1981 at the University of Toronto. Good glycemic foods are still carbohydrates, but make it easier for the diabetic to digest and are much healthier and preferable than those glycemic foods with high ratings on the Glycemic Index. Substitutions are available for foods that rate high on the Glycemic Index and are widely available in supermarkets and other food stores.

Some of the foods that rate low on the Glycemic Index include most fruits and vegetables, Although fruits and vegetables contain sugar, the sugars contained in these good glycemic foods digest into the system at a lower rate and also provide valuable nutrients to the diabetic, or just about everyone. The only vegetable that a diabetic should avoid is a potato, as it has a high glycemic index. Other fruits and vegetables, however, are preferable than white rice, white bread, corn flakes and anything made with white refined sugar or flour.

Other good glycemic foods include wholegrain breads and pastas. If you or a loved one has Type I or Type II diabetes, you should switch to whole grain breads and pastas made from wheat flour. This can be tremendously helpful to anyone who wants to manage their glycemia as well as anyone who wants to follow such low carb diets. Basmati rice is also considered one of the good glycemic foods.

List of Low GI foods:

There are foods on the list that may be “low glycemic” but at the same time be a poor choice because of other criteria such as sodium content, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and other issues.

The GI value of potato chips or french fries is lower than baked potatoes. Large amounts of fat in foods tends to slow the rate of stomach emptying and therefore the rate at which foods are digested. Yet the saturated fat in these foods will contribute to a much increased risk of heart disease. It is important to look at the type of fat in foods rather than avoid it completely. Good fats are found in foods such as avocadoes, nuts and legumes while saturated fats are found in dairy products, cakes and biscuits. We’d all be better off if we left the cakes and biscuits for special occasions.

Artichoke

Asparagus

Avocado

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Celery

Cucumber

Eggplant

Green beans

Lettuce, all varieties

Low-fat yogurt, artificially sweetened

Peanuts

Peppers, all varieties

Snow peas

Spinach

Young summer squash

Zucchini

Tomatoes

Cherries

Peas, dried

Plum

Grapefruit

Pearled barley

Peach

Canned peaches, natural juice

Dried apricots

Soy milk

Baby lima beans, frozen

Fat-free milk

Fettuccine

Chocolate Candies, Peanut

Low-fat yogurt, sugar sweetened

Apple

Pear

Whole wheat spaghetti

Tomato soup

Carrots, cooked

Mars Snickers Bar

Apple juice

Spaghetti

All-Bran

Canned chickpeas

Custard

Grapes

Orange

Canned lentil soup

It should be noted that the list is not exhaustive in the sense the GI value depends on a lot of factors other than the type of food. For example the method of preparation, the storage of food materials, the manner of eating etc. Also the list takes only the GI parameter into consideration and it can happen that some of the low GI foods mentioned may not be beneficial for health owing to the excess amount of constituents like fats etc.

Benefits of the Glycemic Index?

* Low GI carbs reduce the risk of heart disease

* Low GI carbs reduce blood cholesterol levels

* Low GI carbs can help you manage the symptoms of PCOS

* Low GI carbs reduce hunger and keep you fuller for longer

* Low GI carbs prolong physical endurance

* High GI carbs help re-fuel carbohydrate stores after exercise.

* Moderate reductions in GL make losing weight easier, particularly for women.

* A high carb diet based around low GI foods was overall the most effective for heart health – good news for those who love their carbs.

* Low GI wholegrain foods (such as traditional porridge oats) provided heart health benefits over and above those of high GI wholegrains (such as wholewheat flakes).

How to Switch to a Low GI Diet

The basic technique for eating the low GI way is simply a “this for that” approach – ie, swapping high GI carbs for low GI carbs. You don’t need to count numbers or do any sort of mental arithmetic to make sure you are eating a healthy, low GI diet.

* Use breakfast cereals based on oats, barley and bran

* Use breads with wholegrains, stone-ground flour, sour dough

* Reduce the amount of potatoes you eat

* Enjoy all other types of fruit and vegetables

* Use Basmati or Doongara rice

* Enjoy pasta, noodles, quinoa

* Eat plenty of salad vegetables with a vinaigrette dressing



By: IC

About the Author:

Smoking is the name of that curse that not only eats up a person from within but also affects the ones around him. Inspite of being aware of the kind of damage smoking can bring about; people are not ready to part ways with the ***. Smoking is an addiction that doesn’t spare even one part of the human body. It is the potent cause of most of the cancers. In short smoking is a complete killer.

The governments and the international organizations are taking steps in order to make people understand and realize the hazards of smoking. In many places smoking has been completely banned especially in the public places. Various forms of warnings appear on the labels of the cigarette packets in an attempt to discourage people from this fateful addiction. However, little has been achieved on the quit smoking front as most of the smokers inspite of having the will are not able to give up smoking.

Therefore in a desperate attempt to discourage people the medical world and the governments are now trying to highlight all the possible harms that smoking brings about quite extensively. This is the reason why we see a lot of articles on ‘no smoking’ in the papers, journals, and the magazines. Every attempt that has the potential of scaring the people away from the bane of smoking has been adopted.

In a similar attempt, a particular study has proved that smoking induces diabetes in patients. It has been found to be the cause of the most common form of diabetes. Smokers have the possibility of developing diabetes, a whopping 44% more than their non smoking counterparts. And this percentage is only for the moderate smokers. The percentage increases drastically to 61% in case of heavy smokers. Though quitting the puff helps, still the chances of developing diabetes are not totally negated. There still remains a 23% chance.

Diabetes is a disease that can give rise to a lot of complications in the treatment of other diseases. It in itself is a nerve wrecking disease that is a fertile breeding ground for a lot of other diseases. But I am pretty sure that even this piece of news won’t be enough to fuel up the people in giving up smoking. May be that’s why it is known as an ‘Addiction’. Because in spite of having the willingness to quit, people become helpless even with the thought of quitting, mainly because they have developed an unconditional dependency on the puff.

So in order to help the people out of the labyrinth of smoking the medical giant Pfizer has come up with a very novel and at the same time noble concept of quit smoking drug. Anti smoking drug Pfizer Chantix has been introduced in the online world so that people have access to it easily. People can order Chantix from the online pharmacies after they have had a preliminary and a mandatory medical consultation in order to be safe from the Chantix side effects. Thus one can buy Chantix online and attempt to give up on smoking for one’s own health, for the health of one’s family, and also for the health of the environment.



By: Sandy Tonsing

About the Author:

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, an organ near the stomach. Insulin is needed to turn sugar and other food into energy. Three main forms of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (occurring during pregnancy),[1] which have similar signs, symptoms, and consequences, but different causes and population distributions. Ultimately, all forms are due to the beta cells of the pancreas being unable to produce sufficient insulin to prevent hyperglycemia.[2] Type 1 is usually due to autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin. Type 2 is characterized by tissue-wide insulin resistance and varies widely; it sometimes progresses to loss of beta cell function. Gestational diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, in that it involves insulin resistance; the hormones of pregnancy cause insulin resistance in those women genetically predisposed to developing this condition.

People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Gestational diabetes also involves a combination of inadequate insulin secretion and responsiveness, resembling type 2 diabetes in several respects. It develops during pregnancy and may improve or disappear after delivery. Insulin is called the “hunger hormone .

Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

Glucose into most cells from the blood (primarily muscle and fat cells, but not central nervous system cells), deficiency of insulin or the insensitivity of its receptors plays a central role in all forms of diabetes mellitus. Much of the carbohydrate in food is converted within a few hours to the monosaccharide glucose, the principal carbohydrate found in blood. Type 1 diabetes mellitus—formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), childhood diabetes or also known as juvenile diabetes, is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas leading to a deficiency of insulin. The main cause of beta cell loss leading to type 1 diabetes is a T-cell mediated autoimmune attack. Type 2 diabetes mellitus—previously known as adult-onset diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

1.Drowsiness.

2.Nausea.

3.Decreased endurance during exercise

Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Person with diabetes keeps blood sugar levels tightly controlled, complications are less likely to develop. People with diabetes should always carry or wear a medical identification bracelet or tag to alert health care professionals to the presence of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes who are able to maintain a healthy weight may be able to avoid the need for large doses of insulin. People with diabetes also tend to have high levels of cholesterol in the blood, so limiting the amount of saturated fat in the diet is important. Drugs may also be needed to help control the level of cholesterol in the blood. Diet management is very important in people with both types of diabetes. Doctors recommend a healthy, balanced diet and efforts to maintain a healthy weight. Some people benefit from meeting with a dietitian to develop an optimal eating plan. Diabetic ketoacidosis is also a medical emergency, because it can cause coma and death. Oral medications are available to lower blood glucose in Type II diabetics include tolbutamide, tolazamide, acetohexamide, and chlorpropamide.



By: Juliet Cohen

About the Author:

The goal of diabetes mellitus treatment is just keeping blood glucose level as close to normal as possible in most safe way without interrupting any other body systems. In addition, as diabetes might greatly increase a person\’s risks for cardiac disorders, preventative measurements for effectively controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels have been now considered as most important part of diabetes mellitus treatment.

People suffering from diabetes should take care for their day-to-day routine. The care includes monitoring the blood glucose level, dietary pattern and restriction, maintaining physical workout, keeping their weight and stress within limits i.e. under control, regularly taking their oral medications and, if required, supplying insulin through injections or pump.

Let us learn some important ways for diabetes mellitus treatment as stated or advised by health care providers:

Dietary Pattern and Physical Workout

The modification in patient’s eating pattern and increasing physical workout is generally few of the first steps toward betterment of blood sugar levels. In many health care centers the diabetics work with their doctors and/or certified dieticians to develop a dietary pattern that help in controlling blood glucose levels.

Insulin Therapy

People diagnosed with Diabetes Type I need multiple insulin injections regularly, every day, in order that maintains safe insulin levels. Insulin may also be prescribed for treatment of patients suffering from Diabetes Type II. Latest technology includes usage of a device (an insulin pump) as an alternative to injections for better control. The pump is about the size of a small cell phone and is generally worn on the belt. Insulin is introduced through a small tube (called as catheter) which is placed under the skin (generally the site is abdomen).

There are mainly four kinds of insulin:

·    Rapid-acting

·    Short-acting

·    Intermediate-acting

·    Long-acting

It is the health care provider who determines the dosage and how often you require taking insulin. There is no any fixed insulin dose since it depends upon many factors like body weight, the meal timings, how often you exercise and how much insulin is normally naturally produced by the body.

Oral Medications – OHD (oral hypoglycemic drugs)

Sometimes blood glucose levels remain high in patients suffering from Diabetes Type II even though they eat a healthy diet and do regular exercising. When this happens, medicines in the form of capsules form might be advised to help controlling the blood glucose levels. The medicines work by various mechanisms such as they improve the utilization of the body\’s natural insulin, reduce blood glucose production, increase insulin reuptake and inhibit blood glucose absorption. Oral diabetes drugs are sometimes taken in combination with insulin.

Herbal or natural diabetes mellitus treatment

Herbs such as fenugreek, Karela, turmeric are known for their glucose lowering properties. One can also practice pranayama and yogasana to keep body glucose level under control. In Ayurveda, pills like arogyavardhini vati, haridra khand etc help in controlling the blood glucose level and also enhance body’s natural insulin production. One has to do some exercises in order to keep body in harmony.



By: Bryan Len

About the Author:

Although it is most often referred to by the name diabetes, diabetes mellitus is a treatable, chronic metabolic disorder, affecting the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates. Whether it is due to the body’s inability to produce insulin to disperse the sugar from the blood stream or the inability of the produced insulin to do so is what determines which stage of diabetes mellitus from which a person suffers.

Type I diabetes mellitus is when the body cannot produce insulin due to the destruction of the cells that produce insulin while Type 2 is when the body’s tissues offer a resistance to the insulin being produced. A third type, gestational diabetes, typically has its onset during pregnancy. Although considered Type I, 2 and 3 diabetes mellitus, it is not really three separate diseases, but different stages of pancreatic failure.

Failure to properly treat diabetes mellitus can lead to other major health issues, including damage to small blood vessels. Consistently high levels of glucose in the blood will damage the smaller vessels, especially in the retina. The common occurrence of vision loss among those with diabetes mellitus makes it one of the most common causes of blindness among non-elderly in the country.

Complications Compounded If Left Untreated

There are serious life-threatening complications involved with diabetes mellitus, especially if left untreated, or even under treated, as cardiovascular problems such as coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease can develop. The disease can also cause damage to the kidneys, leading to renal failure and stroke.

Strokes suffered by those with diabetes mellitus are typically the ischemic type, during which brain cells die due to being oxygen starved, even for a short period of time. Depending on their location in the brain and primary function, there may be no noticeable impairment caused by ischemic stroke. An ischemic chain involves one minor stroke following another, not always in linear order, and some may be in circular motions. This can be diagnoses through the use of MRI examination.

While the complications involved with diabetes mellitus have rendered the illness incurable at this point, it is treatable and many people live a normal lifestyle by taking the necessary precautions so as not to exacerbate their symptoms. Knowing that an increase in blood sugar can lead to a hypoglycemic episode and spark additional health problems, people with diabetes mellitus usually stick with their diet and new lifestyle.



By: Ann Marier

About the Author:

Diabetes Mellitus is an insidious disease that causes a whole slew of complications that can have life altering and threatening effects for anyone who suffers from it. From heart disease to kidney problems, blindness and nerve damage, recognizing the symptoms of diabetes mellitus early and getting proper medical treatment is key to managing it effects and the complications it can cause.

It is estimated that 17 million people suffer from diabetes in the United States alone. Further more nearly 5.9 million of those 17 million have not been diagnosed and are suffering the effects of not managing their condition. Many people remain undiagnosed because they do not recognize or understand their symptoms and never seek medical help until their symptoms have manifested into the later complications.

The treatment of diabetes is about managing the condition through proper diet, exercise, and medication. The sooner a positive diagnosis is made the better the chances of avoiding potential life threatening complications that this disease is known for. There is no known cure but millions of people with diabetes live normal lives through healthy lifestyle choices.

The symptoms of diabetes mellitus as listed by the American Diabetes Association include:

1. Increased ********* – Increased blood flow through the kidneys due to high blood sugar levels contributes to this.

2. Excessive Thirst – Caused by the increased urine output that brings about dehydration.

3. Hungry All the Time – Because glucose (sugar) is unable to leave the blood stream and enter the cells due to a lack of insulin or insulin resistance the cells do not get the fuel they need for energy. The body senses this energy deficit and thinks it needs more calories to fuel its metabolic processes.

4. Weight Loss – Even though the diabetic is eating more the body starts to break down its own protein and fat stores to feed the perceived lack of energy for the cells.

5. Fatigue – Decreased energy levels lead to constant feelings of fatigue and lethargy.

6. Irritability and Depression.

7. Eye Problems – High blood glucose levels cause an increase in blood volume which can cause the lens of the eye to swell.

These signs will usually start out as nothing more than minor annoyances, but with time they will increase in severity. Many people attribute them to other things and brush them aside. Many of the symptoms can be attributed to other things like the stress of everyday life which can cause fatigue, depression, and irritability.

Many people are often surprised when they are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus saying things like “I don’t feel sick”. Many people are visiting their doctor for other concerns when they are first diagnosed. But once they putt all their symptoms together along with the results of their blood glucose test that the doctor will order the diagnosis is easily seen.

Recognizing the symptoms of diabetes mellitus early in the disease’s stages is the single most important factor when it comes to minimizing the long term complications that are associated with this disease.



By: Andrew Bicknell

About the Author: