Diabetes mellitus is the 7th leading cause of death in America. Diabetes mellitus involves blood sugar regulation. 23.6 million Americans have diabetes and of that number, more than 5 million do not know they have it.
There are two types of diabetes mellitus, Type 1 and Type 2: Type 1 is also called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Type 1 occurs when the person’s pancreas cells (beta cells) which produce insulin no longer function. In Type 1 diabetes, insulin must be given by injection or by insulin pump.
Type 2 is also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Type 2 diabetes begins as insulin resistance (body cells cannot use the insulin properly) and later the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin.
You may ask so why do I need insulin? Insulin is a hormone that enables body cells to take sugar (out of the blood stream) and use it. When insulin is present, the body cells take in the sugar molecules (simple carbohydrates) and use them properly. If insulin isn’t present, the blood sugar stays in the blood stream and cannot enter the individual cells. The cells starve without the sugar while the large amount of sugar floating around the blood stream stresses the body. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels cause heart and vascular disease, causing heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes harms a person’s kidneys as the kidneys work too hard to filter the high sugar concentration in the blood. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults ages 20-74. More tomorrow.
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