DIABETES

When the blood sugar level is higher or lower than normal, it poses a great risk to health. Diabetes is a clinical condition characterized by high sugar (above 120mg/dl) in the blood. There are basically two types of diabetes viz Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus.

Diabetes Mellitus
This disease is caused by absolute or relative deficiency in insulin and/or its effectiveness. This condition is associated with abnormal increase in blood sugar level. The exact cause is not known but has been suspected to relate to genetic and environmental factors.

Types
· Type I also called Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM). The patients lack insulin and therefore can not use up sugar in the blood. Further accumulation of sugar (especially from carbohydrates) results in type I diabetes mellitus.
· Type II also called Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM). This is common in patients suffering with obesity. They have high insulin levels but are insulin resistant. Loss of weight may return blood-sugar level to normal.

Signs and Symptoms
Polyurea: too much urine
Polydipsea: too much thirst
Polyphegia: increased appetite
Weight loss (typical with IDDM)
Longer than necessary time for ulcer to heal
Dehydration
Possible coma.

Diagnoses
1. Urine: Glycosuria (blood sugar greater than 180mg/dl present in urine) patient is suffering with obesity.
2. Blood: Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed if :
-- random blood sugar exceeds 250mg/dl
-- fasting blood sugar is greater than or equal to 120mg/dl.

Treatment
1. Diet: Dietary treatment is designed o provide the patient’s need of calorie and correct weight of obese patient.
2. Exercise: The body takes up more sugar from the blood during exercise thereby reducing blood-sugar level.
3. Education: Knowledge is power. Getting further information on how to handle diabetes mellitus will be helpful.
4. Drugs: Basically, insulin is orally ministered.

Diabetes Insipidus
This is as a result of lack of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) or lack of kidney response to ADH. They, therefore, can be classified as ADH-sensitive diabetes insipidus and ADH-resistant diabetes insipidus respectively.

Signs and Symptoms
Polyurea
Polydipsia
Dehydration.

Diagnoses
Urine: In diabetes insipidus, urine is dilute and of low specific gravity.

Treatment
Patients are mainly treated by hormone replacement therapy.