Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder that is characterized as a group of metabolic disorders. The prevalence of the disorder is high, and no complete cure is available till now. However, there are many preventive factors that can prevent the occurrence, and further aggravation of the condition. This assignment explains what diabetes mellitus is, how it is caused, the characteristics of the disease and the treatment regimen available. The assignment also explains how the population should be educated regarding the disorder to control the rapidly increasing prevalence.

Discussion

Characteristics of the disease

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder that is characterized by marked hyperglycemia (American Diabetes Association, 2007). The term hyperglycemia refers to the condition in which the blood glucose level is abnormally high. The basic characteristic that indicates the onset of diabetes mellitus in an individual is uncontrolled hyperglycemia. This glucose level, if not controlled, can cause damage to the blood vessels and different organs of the body.

Classification of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is divided into two classes. This classification is done on the basis of the factors that cause the occurrence of the disease. The two major classes of diabetes mellitus are:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus or non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

There are some other conditions that might cause diabetes mellitus to occur. However, this diabetes might get resolved once the underlying cause is eliminated, but the chances of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus are greater than for complete eradication of the disorder. The two minor and less common classes of diabetes mellitus are:

Gestational Diabetes

Other Types

MODY (maturity-onset diabetes of youth)

LADA

Secondary Diabetes Mellitus

The gestational diabetes mellitus is acquired in pregnancy. The blood glucose level is strictly controlled in these pregnant women to avoid complications in pregnancy and damaged to the fetus (Mayo clinic, 2011). In some women, the condition is resolved once the baby is delivered, however, in more than 20-50 % women; there is a chance of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in the next 5 to 20 years. Gestational diabetes mellitus is more common in African, Latinos and American Indian women while the chances for other types of diabetes mellitus are not more than 1 to 5 percent.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is also known as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. It is the condition in which the beta cells that are responsible for producing insulin hormone are destroyed. More than 90 percent destruction of these cells results in an extreme shortage of insulin hormone. The condition is autoimmune in origin, and the treatment depends on providence of exogenous insulin injections. Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurs more commonly is young adults and children rather than older individuals.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

This is a more commonly occurring diabetes mellitus, and the common targets are the older adults and old population. The usual age of occurrence is in between 40 to 80 years. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is also known as non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus; this type of disorder depends on factors like ...