Biology

Although there are two broad categories of diabetes, diabetes inspidus and diabetes mellitus, the latter type is widespread and most significant in human health. The former type, diabetes inspidus is characterized by excessive water loses through urination. The effects of diabetes mellitus are diverse and often leave the patient with an array of complications if not well managed. Therefore, diabetes mellitus is the most well studied and a lot of funds have been invested into finding appropriate treatments and best management practices to support those afflicted by the disorder. Definition of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is one of several types of metabolic infections, which result from deranged pathways in metabolism. It is characterized by elevated levels of glucose in blood. The increased glucose levels in blood results from the derangements in the process of insulin production or activity of insulin receptors. Insulin is the main hormone produced by the pancreas and regulates the sugar levels in the blood. In some patients, there are both breakdown in insulin secretion and activity of insulin, which cause blood sugar levels to peak. The lack of activity of insulin in these patients causes type II diabetes, which is also called Insulin-independent diabetes. Type I diabetes results when the body is not able to produce any amount of the hormone. The most common type is type II diabetes where the body becomes resistant and when the body becomes incapacitated of making secreting insulin.

Symptoms of diabetes Diabetes mellitus is mostly indicated when individuals have frequent urination. The osmotic balance in the body changes and the kidneys expel large amounts of water in urine. This condition is followed by thirst as a lot of water is lost. In some cases, diabetes mellitus is characterized by individuals having increased appetite. Although diabetic individuals might have increased appetite and end up successfully eating enough, the glucose in blood does not get into important cells where is it highly required for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) or energy.

The lack of ATP formation in cells consequently leads to individuals becoming fatigued as well as having a condition known as hyperglycemia due to accumulated glucose in blood. Male patients afflicted by the condition have always showed conditions of erectile dysfunction while other patients both males and females have shown problems of blurred vision. There is also a general break down of the immune system which makes the process of wound healing to be slow.Causes of Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes mellitus is caused by insufficient insulin production. The production of defective insulin or the inability of the body cells to respond to the insulin that is produced often leads to hyperglycemic condition and diabetes.  In type II diabetes, the body fails to respond effectively to insulin in what doctors call insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes the muscle, fat and hepatic cells not to respond to insulin in an appropriate way. This leads to biochemical starving even when there is sufficient supply of carbohydrates in the diet. Blood sugar fails to get into the critical cells where it can be stored for ATP production.

Since sugar does not get into cells, there is a consequent accumulation of sugars in the blood, a condition known as hyperglycemia. The increased blood sugar triggers more production of insulin from the pancreas although the amount of secreted insulin is not enough to satisfy the demands of the body. It has been suggested that overweight people are at high risk of having insulin resistance because of their accumulated fat affects the ability of the body to utilize any available insulin in the body.

Although overweight people have been known to have greater risks of being afflicted by diabetes type II, lean people are also not exempted especially the old. Perhaps reasons behind this observation can be senesces, which leads to decrease in function in various body cells as individuals advance in age. This reason is supported by the observation made in most elderly people who have problems with a number of other body organs such as kidney, heart and liver. Pancreas which is involved in the production of insulin hormone might as well be affected due to aging. 

Genetic factors have also been identified to be the cause of diabetes type II. Other factors that may lead to this condition include poor diet, low levels of activity and excessive gains in body weight particularly around the waist. High blood pressure, low levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL) or high levels of triglycerides, age, gestational diabetes history, hypertension, glucose intolerance and race have been connected to the increase in the risk of being afflicted with the disease .Diagnosis and treatment

Blood sugar tests are often used to show the extent of diabetes of diabetes type II. Doctors can also check on the blood pressure, glycosulated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides and cholesterol, serum creatinine and microalbuminuria and signs of diabetic retinopathy. After this has been checked and confirmed positive treatment arrangement are made and patents can be advised to change their diets, do regular physical activities, take medications such as biguanides or sulfonylureas or take medications to prevent serious complications. Insulin can also be recommended in case patients dont respond to other medications.

All in all, diabetes is one of the disorders that have well been studied although medications in the market dont seem to solve the problem completely. It therefore requires more investment of resources and time in research to see that an effective treatment is found which can clear the problem.