Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus or 'sugar diabetes' is the most common glandular condition in North America. It affects to to 25 million people, most of whom have yet to be diagnosed. Diabetics run an above-average risk of developing heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death in the USA and Canada. Given that most types of diabetes and its complications are related to lifestyle and environment, this is for the most part a preventable problem. Diabetes mellitus is an insulin disorder that impairs the body's sugar me-tabolism. The important hormone insulin is responsible for the absorption of sugar into cells for on-demand energy and into the liver and fat cells for en-ergy storage. There are two main types of diabetes mellitus. In type I diabetes mellitus, insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed. With regular injections of insulin, the patient may lead a normal life. Without it, he or she may lapse into coma and die. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, pancreatic production of insulin is diminished or the body gradually loses its ability to utilize it. This is by far the most common form of diabetes and is usually linked to bad eating habits, obesity and poor life-style. 108

Both type i and type 2 diabetes are generally characterized by high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) but in cases of overmedication or illness/stress during medication blood sugar levels can plummet (hypoglycemia). Both events are potentially serious.

Hyperglycemia produces excessive thirst and urination, fatigue, weight loss, and dehydration. Occasionally, life-threatening illnesses (hyper-osmolar coma or ketoacidosis) may result from excessive sugar levels. These are medical emergencies requiring immediate hospitalization. Some diabetics take insulin injections or pills to lower sugar levels and are susceptible to the complications of low blood sugar levels. This may happen because they take too much medication, miss a meal, increase their energy expenditures, become sick or febrile, or suffer any sort of stress. This condition too must be treated immediately. Usually, a sweet drink or food is enough and produces rapid results.

Apart from the emergencies resulting from such blood sugar imbalances, most diabetics fall ill from complications of diabetes itself, of which there are two types: reduced ability to fight infection and damage to the circulatory system, including both small and large blood vessels. These complications can cause symptomatic problems with the eyes, muscle, kidneys and bladder. They can also reduce energy levels, promote thirst, and cause tingling in the extremities. Cardiovascular plaque buildup is another result of diabetic complications.

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