An Informative Essay On Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death listed in the United States. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. "In 1996 diabetes contributed to more than 162,000 deaths"(Lewis 1367). "Diabetes mellitus is not a single disease but a group of disorders with glucose intolerance in common" (McCance 674). Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar) and results from defective insulin production, secretion, and utilization. There are many forms of diabetes. "Diabetes increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disease, amputation, infections, kidney damage, eye problems (including blindness), and nerve malfunction" (Husain). I will
…show more content…
That should explain the basic anatomy and physiology of the pancreas. Diabetes can affect the entire body. Two-thirds of adults with diabetes have high blood pressure, or hypertension. This condition is serious because it leads to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney and eye problems. The disease may cause similar changes in the blood vessels of the kidneys. This condition, called diabetic nephropathy, may lead to kidney failure. The nerves may also be affected by diabetes. This complication, known as diabetic neuropathy, can result in loss of feeling or abnormal sensations in different parts of the body. Diabetic neuropathy can occur with long-term diabetes, usually after several years of uncontrolled high blood glucose. Glucose proteins, called glycoproteins, form in the nerves primarily those in the legs and feet. When the nerves in the feet are damaged, the brain cannot recognize pain in that area. Nerve damage from diabetic neuropathy can lead to weakness in the muscles in the legs and feet. Since the muscles work as a system, neuropathy can lead to other foot problems, such as hammertoes, calluses, bunions, and other foot deformities. These deformities are dangerous because of the risk of infection. A simple blister from a tight shoe can spell disaster
Why are nerves often damaged in patients with diabetes mellitus, and what are some of the
Neuropathy – this Nerve Damage is caused by Sugar present in high levels which is capable of injuring the walls of the tiny capillaries within the blood vessels that nourish your nerves specifically in your legs. Resulting in feeling such as numbness, burning, tingling staring at the tips of the toes or fingers is usually felt as pain and gradually spreads upward. When this is left untreated
The nervous system consists of a complex network of nerve cells and fibers which transmit impulses between the different parts of the body. Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes where high blood glucose levels cause chemical changes in nerves, impairing their ability to transmit signals. It also damages the blood vessels which carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves. This nerve damage can lead to problems with every other body system, resulting in numbness, tingling sensations, limb pain, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, bladder infections, impotence, weakness and depression. Approximately 60% of diabetics are diagnosed with some form of neuropathy (Diabetes United Kingdom,
Neuropathy (nerve damage) - Extra sugar builds up in the tiny vessels that provide circulation to your nerves. When sugar builds up, the diabetic begins to lose feeling in extremities, usually lower limbs, starting with tingling and leading to complete nerve damage. Nerve damage to the stomach can cause constipation or diarrhea as well as erectile dysfunction in men.
7. Examine your feet. Diabetes-related nerve damage can mean that you might have minor injuries to your feet that you can’t feel. This can lead to infections and other complications. Check the soles of your feet daily. Put lotion on them at night to keep the skin in good condition. Wear comfortable shoes that fit correctly. Ask your doctor to examine your feet whenever you have an office visit.
Long-term effects of diabetes can cause many serious complications: heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations, and kidney disease and nerve damage. These complications are usually progressive and develop over time due to poor control of blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels cause a narrowing of all the vessels, blockage, and high blood pressure.
Diabetes should be studied due to the increased trend affecting larger numbers of people. According to the American Diabetes Association, the annual incidence of diabetes was estimated at 18,436 with type 1 diabetes, 5,089 with type 2 diabetes. The severity of this condition can be life- threatening. If not taken care of, diabetes will end in extreme illnesses, and potentially death. It is important to take care of your body and make sure you are getting the proper nutrition needed. As stated by the American Diabetes Association, long-term complications of diabetes include potential loss of vision, renal failure, foot ulcers, amputations, and Charcot joints; and autonomic neuropathy causing gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and cardiovascular symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Patients with diabetes have an increased incidence
Peripheral neuropathy is obviously one of the major complications of chronic diabetes, which affects the nerves and leads to loss of sensation, numbness, and pain in the legs, feet, or even hands. Sadly, peripheral neuropathy is likely to affect approximately 70% of people with diabetes. However, not all people who develop this type of complication experience serious pain.
Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorders caused by diabetes. Symptoms include pain, tingling, or numbness, loss of feeling in hands, arms, feet, and legs. Nerve problems can occur in every organ system. Diabetic neuropathies appears more common in people who have problems controlling their blood glucose, those with high levels of blood fat, high blood pressure and obese (Porth, 2015). Metabolic factors include high blood glucose, abnormal blood fat levels, and low insulin levels. Neurovascular factors are associated to damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves (Porth, 2015). Autoimmune factors that cause inflammation in nerves. Mechanical injury to nerves, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome (Porth, 2015). Inherited
Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar)1 . In 2011 The American Diabetes Association repoted a 25.8 million people in America living with diabetes 2. Diabetes is a illness that can be caused by the body not being able to produce enough insulin and or cells in the body not responding adequately to the insulin provided. Insulin which is produced by the pancrease, regulates the amount of glucose (which provieds energy to all cells) in the blood.
But if it’s not taken care of, uncontrolled diabetes can damage a persons’ vision, cause nerve damage and infections to the feet. Also, it can cause poor blood circulation and kidney disease. Many of these problems can be prevented by having a low fat, low alcohol diet, maintaining a reasonable body mass, and working out thirty minutes five days a week. Performing these activities can also help reduce the risk of getting diabetes.
Diabetes affects how your body handles the sugar glucose that’s in your blood. Insulin is a hormone that your pancreas creates that lets your cells turn glucose from the food you eat into energy.
Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, is a chronic illness this means that it has no cure and the symptoms persist over a long period of time. This illness is a result of an imbalance of hormones, insulin, produced in the pancreas. Insulin plays an important role in how the body uses food. Insulin enables the cells in the bloodstream to absorb and use glucose for fuel. If the pancreas produces too little or no insulin or if the insulin doesn’t work properly the person may become diabetic. Therefore, diabetics are not able to properly convert food into fuels needed by the body to function, which can seriously lead to physical consequences.
Diabetes is a disease where the body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively. Insulin is needed for proper storage and use of carbohydrates. Without it, blood sugar levels can become too high or too low, resulting in a diabetic emergency. It affects about 7.8% of the population. The incidence of diabetes is known to increase with age. It’s the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the US, and is the primary cause of blindness and foot and leg amputation. It is known to cause neuropathy in up to 70% of diabetic patients. Individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
Those who are diabetic may also be in risk of blindness (diabetic retinopathy) and nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy). Diabetic neuropathy can lead to numbness in hands and feet, foot ulcers, and eventual limb amputation (World Health Organization). Taking preventive steps can help to avoid many of the complications of diabetes.