DM

Diabetes Mellitus is a diverse group of disorders that share the primary sympton of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) resulting from defective insulin production, insulin action, or both.



Insulin is the primary hormone that regulates blood sugar. If the cells, known as beta cells (in the islets of Langerhans) of your pancrease, loose their ability to produce insulin then increased blood sugar will result. This occurs in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus as a result from cellular mediated auto-immune destruction of Beta cells.



Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus results from insulin resistence by the receptor cells of the target tissue. The pancreas eventually looses its ability to produce insulin.



Increased blood sugar can result in numerous health issues. High blood glucose (sugar) can cause to nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy - these are all known as microvascular complications. Cardiovascular disease, a macrovascular complication, is another long term complication from increased blood glucose.

Short term issues include polyuria, polydipsia, glycosuria.



Since the body is not able to use glucose as fuel it triggers hunger. This results in further increases in blood glucose due to increased food intake. Since the body is hungry it mobilizes fat stores and body protein as sources of fuel. The starving state also triggers glycogenolysis - which is a stored form of carbohydrates (sugar). All of these contribute to increased blood glucose levels. The ph of the blood drops due to the rise of ketones in circulation. Ketones come from protein breakdown to form glucose. With the increased blood glucose the body signals to rid itself of the glucose by excessive urination (polyuria) - glycosuria results (glucose in the urine), excessive thirst (polydipsia) results from dehydration - these are signs of blood glucose gone awry. As mentioned increased blood glucose levels damage tissue over time. That is why individuals suffering from DM regularly see complications with damaged nerves, vision problems, and kidney disease.

Keeping blood glucose in check, reducing body weight, exercise, and consuming fruits and vegetables are a few ways to reduce the risks pathologies of DM and reduce the risk of associated diseases.