Diabetes mellitus is a hormonal disorder that is commonly referred to as diabetes. In this disease, a person's blood glucose levels are abnormally high. Diabetes is caused by problems with a hormone called insulin. It is diagnosed based on symptoms a person presents with. Laboratory tests are also used to diagnose this disease.
Types
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when insulin is absent, low or used inefficiently in the body. There are three main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body may produce enough insulin but the body's cells do not respond to or fully utilize the insulin that is produced. This situation is referred to as insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes may also occur as a result of insufficient insulin production. The third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. It occurs when a pregnant woman who has never had diabetes develops the disease, as evidenced by abnormally high blood sugar levels.
Causes
The Mayo Clinic reports that the exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown. However, according to The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity, certain races or ethnicities, advanced age or a family history of type 2 diabetes and a previous history of gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. When hormones produced during pregnancy inhibit the effects of insulin, gestational diabetes occurs
Signs
Signs and symptoms of diabetes may prompt a physician to run tests in order to reach a diagnosis. Urinating frequently, being thirsty all the time, constant hunger, blurry vision, fatigue and weight loss are signs of diabetes. Individuals should seek medical help when they notice these symptoms.
Tests and Diagnosis
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library states that doctors reach a diagnosis of diabetes by measuring the amount of glucose in the blood. Laboratory tests that help with glucose measurement are the fasting plasma glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test, and random blood glucose tests.
In the random glucose test, a blood sample is taken from a patient at a random time without regard to what the patient has eaten and is tested for glucose. The fasting plasma glucose test involves drawing a blood sample after an overnight fast. This sample is then measured for glucose content. During the glucose tolerance test, a blood sample is drawn and tested after an overnight fast. After this, the patient drinks a sugary liquid. Blood glucose levels are measured again 2 hours after drinking the sugary liquid.
Treatment
People who have type 1 diabetes are treated with insulin therapy. Type 2 diabetes treatment involves the use of oral diabetes medications that help the body to produce more insulin or to use insulin secreted by the pancreas more effectively. Some of the medications work by slowing down glucose production in the body. Insulin therapy may also be used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Significance
If left untreated, diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, eye damage, strokes, nerve damage, ulcers in the legs, and kidney damage. Although individuals diagnosed with diabetes may feel several emotions such as anger, denial and depression, early diagnosis and treatment may prevent them from developing diabetes-related complications.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Diabetes Mellitus
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Diabetes Mellitus
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes Overview
- University of Washington School of Medicine: Diagnosis and Evaluation
- "Care of People With Diabetes: A Manual of Nursing Practice"; Trisha Dunning; 2003
