preview

Essay on Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in Action

Decent Essays

Diabetes in Action Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease that results from either hyposecretion or hypoactivity of insulin (Marieb 620). Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is the body cells major source of energy; however, elevated glucose can be fatal. According to CDC, Diabetes mellitus is the number seven cause of death in the United States (Hoyert 4). DM can be split into two types: type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 1 DM is the lack of insulin and type 2 DM is the presence of insulin but its effect is defective. Type 1diabetes usually occurs in children or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes occurs at any age and is often preventable. Signs and symptoms of diabetes vary among individuals and the type of diabetes …show more content…

“ Exactly why this happens is uncertain, although as in type 1 diabetes, it's believed that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of type 2. Being overweight is strongly linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, but not everyone with type 2 is overweight.” (Mayo Clinic Staff). Diabetes can lead to many complications when the individual does not control their glucose levels. People with diabetes have a higher chance in getting stroke or heart disease. They can also develop nerve damage by damage to blood vessels from excess amount of sugar in the blood vessels. The kidneys can get damage from the excess amount of sugars in the blood vessels of the kidneys. Damage in blood vessels can also lead to eye and foot damages. Foot damages can also lead to leg ulcers and if left untreated can lead to foot amputations. There is no solid evidence but people with diabetes can also have a higher chance of getting cancer. There are two tests that can be done to check if you have diabetes. One is called glycated hemoglobin test also known as the A1C test and the other one is blood sugar test using a glucometer. The A1C test measures the blood sugar level for the past three months. “It measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. “(Mayo Clinic Staff). If A1C level is 6.5 percent or

Get Access