Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus (sometimes called "sugar diabetes") is a condition that occurs
when the body can't use glucose (a type of sugar) normally. Glucose is the main
source of energy for the body's cells. The levels of glucose in the blood are
controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas.
In the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, there are two main subclasses of
endocrine cells: insulin-producing beta cells and glucagon secreting alpha cells.
Beta and alpha cells are continually changing their levels of hormone secretions
based on the glucose environment. Without the balance between insulin and
glucagon, the glucose levels become inappropriately skewed. In the case of DM,
insulin is either absent and/or has impaired action (insulin resistance), and thus
leading to hyperglycemia.
The types of diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes
(diabetes while pregnant).
1- DM types1 : is characterized by the destruction of beta cells in the
pancreas, typically secondary to the autoimmune destruction of beta cells. The
result is the absolute destruction of beta cells, and consequentially, insulin is
absent or extremely low Type1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an
autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake) that stops your body
from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people who have diabetes
have type 1. It is the type that affects children and young adults, and results from
the loss of insulin in the body as a result of a defect in the pancreas, and makes
the person with it take insulin doses for his life.
2- DM types2 : involves a more insidious onset where an imbalance between
insulin levels and insulin sensitivity causes a functional deficit of insulin. Insulin
resistance is multifactorial but commonly develops from obesity in aging.
History and Physical: During patient history, questions about family history,
Diabetes mellitus (sometimes called "sugar diabetes") is a condition that occurs
when the body can't use glucose (a type of sugar) normally. Glucose is the main
source of energy for the body's cells. The levels of glucose in the blood are
controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas.
In the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, there are two main subclasses of
endocrine cells: insulin-producing beta cells and glucagon secreting alpha cells.
Beta and alpha cells are continually changing their levels of hormone secretions
based on the glucose environment. Without the balance between insulin and
glucagon, the glucose levels become inappropriately skewed. In the case of DM,
insulin is either absent and/or has impaired action (insulin resistance), and thus
leading to hyperglycemia.
The types of diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes
(diabetes while pregnant).
1- DM types1 : is characterized by the destruction of beta cells in the
pancreas, typically secondary to the autoimmune destruction of beta cells. The
result is the absolute destruction of beta cells, and consequentially, insulin is
absent or extremely low Type1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an
autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake) that stops your body
from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people who have diabetes
have type 1. It is the type that affects children and young adults, and results from
the loss of insulin in the body as a result of a defect in the pancreas, and makes
the person with it take insulin doses for his life.
2- DM types2 : involves a more insidious onset where an imbalance between
insulin levels and insulin sensitivity causes a functional deficit of insulin. Insulin
resistance is multifactorial but commonly develops from obesity in aging.
History and Physical: During patient history, questions about family history,
