Term:
Diabetes Mellitus
Description:
Complex and chronic disorder of metabolism due either to partial or total lack of insulin secretion by the pancreas (specifically by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas) or to the inability of insulin to function normally in the body.
The disease is common, and evidences suggests that the incidence is increasing.
There are two major forms: ketoacidosis prone and onoketoacidosis prone.
Ketoacidosis prone or Type I, diabetes was formerly known as juvenile-onset diabetes; Nonketoacidosis prone or Type II, diabetes, as adult-onset diabetes. Both forms have a hereditary predisposition and are without known cure at the present time. Type I tends to appear at a younger age. Type II disease may be precipitated by obesity, severe stress, pregnancy, menopause, or other factors.
Symptoms:
Excessive thirst and urination, weight loss, and the presence of excessive sugar in the uring and the blood.
Treatment:
Depends on the severity of the disease; mild forms may be managed with diet alone, but other cases require the use of drugs to lower blood sugar levels (oral antidiabetics) or injections of insulin. Severe and/or untreated cases frequently lead to serious complications, including premature atherosclerosis, often affecting the legs and leading to ulcers of the feet, early coronary artery disease; kidney disorders; eye disorders, sometimes leading to blindness; and nerve problems (neuropathy).
*You should always seek a professional physician's
advice before trying to administer any type of treatment.
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Please contact our Physician Referral Service
at (702) 383-1904.
* All material provided in the UMC website,
or it's related web pages, is provided for educational purposes
only. Consult your own physician, or visit a UMC Primary
Care, regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations
with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.
