23-01-2012, 03:12 PM
DIABETES
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Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) is a severe, life-threatening condition in which the body loses its ability to turn glucose (sugar) from food into usable energy. It is sometimes, mistakenly, called "Sugar" Diabetes.
Muscle cells and other tissues in the body require specific levels of glucose and carbohydrates to maintain their function. The amount of glucose absorbed into the bloodstream, and the method by which glucose enters the body's cells is regulated by a hormone called insulin. This is produced in the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach.
TYPES OF DIABETES
TYPE 1 DIABETES:
Diabetes that usually starts in childhood is sometimes called "Juvenile Diabetes" or "Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus" (IDDM) - but it is more commonly known as "Type 1 Diabetes".
TYPE 2 DIABETES:
Diabetes that develops later in life (ie, after 45 years of age) used to be known as "Adult Onset Diabetes" or "Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus" (NIDDM) is known as "Type 2 Diabetes". This can sometimes begin inpeople as young as 20 years of age.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES:
This form of Diabetes can develop during pregnancy, but usually disappears when the pregnancy is over. Women who have had this condition amay have a greater risk of developing Diabetes later in life.
DIAGNOSING DIABETES
Testing a blood sample for glucose levels in the fasting state (no food for 8 hours before the test) will help diagnose Diabetes, however, confirming a diagnosis usually requires repeated measurements.
A glucose level above 126mg/dl is regarded as hyperglycemic.
In addition to blood glucose testing, a test which measures glycosylated hemoglobin (molecules in red blood cells which have been modified by glucose) can provide information on the glucose levels in the blood over the previous 2-3 months. This is often used to monitor therapy.
