What Goes Wrong In Diabetes

In people with type 1 diabetes, the inflating needle is missing , or there are only one or two needles to fit an entire court full of basketballs . This happens when the islets of the pancreas are destroyed. In people with type 2 diabetes, the inflating needle is the wrong size or shape for the valve (or, in rarer circumstances, the valve itself is too small or missing). This latter phenomenon, where there's plenty of insulin but the body isn't using it properly, is known as insulin resistance. It also occurs in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a type of diabetes that first starts in pregnancy. In some cases, people with type 2 diabetes go on to develop a certain amount of beta cell death and insulin insufficiency as well. Gestational diabetes usually resolves itself after childbirth, although women who develop GDM have a higher risk for developing the permanent insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes later in life.

E Fact

Although the name is almost the same, diabetes insipidus (also known as water diabetes) is a condition completely different in cause and treatment than diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus is characterized by a problem with the kidneys that impedes their ability to concentrate urine adequately, usually due to a deficiency in anti diuretic hormone (ADH). The human body needs glucose to function, but too much glucose circulating in the bloodstream has the potential to be toxic, a problem known as glucotoxicity. When insulin isn't available, blood glucose levels rise higher and higher in the bloodstream. Fatigue, excessive thirst, increased urination, and flulike symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may appear. A severe rise in blood sugar can result in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma (HHNC), sometimes called diabetic coma-both are life threatening medical emergencies.

A timely diagnosis and immediate treatment are important in preventing DKA, HHNC, and other complications. Long-term, elevated blood sugars can damage virtually all the systems of the body. Blood vessel damage can result in cardiovascular disease, neuropathy (nerve damage), retinopathy (retinal eye disease), nephropathy (kidney disease), and more. To learn more about preventing complications.

For more inforamtion on Diabetes Care and Diabetes Care Specialist.