lifehealth-insurance

Diabetes mellitus is the name given to a group of conditions linked by the patient’s inability to produce and use insulin, and that leads to high blood glucose (sugar) levels. This is not to be confused with diabetes insipid us, a rare condition associated with symptoms similar to diabetes mellitus, but which have different causes. Although the two share the term “diabetes” Similarly, the term diabetes, when used by it, is often used to refer to diabetes mellitus and will be used in a way in this article. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of about 20 million people in the United States have diabetes, but as many as 6 million of them do not realize that diabetes affects their health. Diabetes mellitus disrupt the normal balance between insulin and glucose, after the meal, usually broken down carbohydrates into glucose and other simple sugars. This causes blood glucose levels rise and stimulate the pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream.

Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas. It regulates the transport of glucose into most body cells and work with glucagons, another pancreatic hormone, to maintain blood glucose levels within a narrow range. Most tissues in the body rely on glucose for energy production and all but a few – such as the brain and nervous system – totally dependent on insulin-mediated transport. Acute hyperglycemia may be a medical emergency. The body tries to cleanse the blood of excess glucose by flushing out the system by increasing urination. This process can cause dehydration and disrupt the body’s balance of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium lost in the urine. Because glucose is not available to the cells with a severe deficiency of insulin, the body will attempt to provide alternative energy sources with the metabolism of fatty acids. Less efficient processes cause a buildup of ketoses and acid-base balance disorder of the body. Left untreated, acute hyperglycemia can lead to severe dehydration, loss of consciousness, and even death.

Glucose levels increased over time and become chronic increases may not be initially noticed by the patient. The body tries to control the amount of glucose in the blood by increasing insulin production and release of glucose in urine. Symptoms usually begin to occur when the body no longer able to compensate for higher levels of blood glucose. Chronic hyperglycemia can cause long term damage to blood vessels, nerves, and organs throughout the body and can cause other conditions such as kidney failure; vision loss, stroke, and cardiovascular disease, diabetes also commonly cause circulatory problems in the legs. Damage from hyperglycemia is cumulative and can be started before the patient realizes that he has diabetes mellitus. The sooner the condition is detected and treatment begins the better chance to minimize complications.