Diabetes; a definition

Diabetes mellitus, often referred to simply as diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders which cause a person to have high blood sugar. The most common symptoms are increased hunger, thirst, and urination.

I've chosen to make a special section on diabetes because it is one of my two pet topics. You will get more posts regarding this topic because it is rampant in both children and adults in the United States now, and common in my family and practice. I know this is an extra post this week, but please bear with me as I introduce this important topic.

There are three main types of diabetes:

1. Gestational diabetes: This is when a woman, who has never had diabetes before, develops high blood sugar during pregnancy. It may be a forewarning of Type II Diabetes in the future. It's cause and treatment seem to be much the same as Type II.
2. Type II Diabetes: Previously known as Adult Onset Diabetes,  or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is a group of conditions where cells fail to use the protein hormone insulin properly. Sometimes this can be combined with an absolute insulin deficiency. Primarily, this occurs when cells are no longer as sensitive to insulin. This type of diabetes is being seen more often in younger children, especially those who are over weight or obese. In some cases, although this condition is considered chronic (permanent), symptoms of the disease can be put into remission.
3. Type I Diabetes: Previously known as Juvenile Diabetes, or as insulin dependent diabetes, is a condition where the pancreas, an organ next to the liver, fails to make insulin. It can affect people of all ages, and occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. There is no known prevention or cure for this type of diabetes. Currently, the only option is for people with this condition to inject the insulin that they are missing.

 Diabetes of all three types may be controlled with insulin, diet and exercise as well as oral medication for Gestational or Type II. There are roles for patient education, dietetic support, sensible exercise, with the goal of keeping both short-term and long-term blood glucose levels within prescribed limits. In addition, given the associated higher risks of cardiovascular disease, lifestyle modifications are recommended to control blood pressure.

If you, or someone you love, either has or is at risk for diabetes it should not be taken lightly.  The affects of diabetes mis-management can be profound. In adults, Type II is the primary cause of blindness and kidney failure. The immune response is impaired in individuals with diabetes. Studies  have shown that high blood sugar both reduces the function of immune cells and increases inflammation (pain, swelling, redness and heat in tissue). The effect of diabetes on the veins also tend to alter lung function, all of which leads to an increase in susceptibility to respiratory infections such as colds, pneumonia and the flu among individuals with diabetes. Several studies also show diabetes associated with worse cases of these types of diseases and slower recovery from them. Further, because high blood sugar literally turns blood into syrup, circulation through toes and fingers (as well as lungs and kidneys) becomes difficult, slowing or preventing healing of injuries. This can lead to infection and amputation if diabetes is not taken seriously and controlled.

Can Type I kill you? Yes. I've lost family to that condition. Can Type II kill you? Yes, because high blood sugar can prevent your immune system from doing it's job, which in turn allows infections, other conditions and even cancer to take a hold where your immune system may have won the day.

Diabetes is serious. I know too many people who really don't believe that, or think that taking care of their condition is "too hard". Please don't be one of those people. Take care of yourself. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. There will be more on this.

Always,

Dr. P