Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Essays - Diabetes, Diabetic Neuropathy

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes ******REMINDER****** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Insulin-dependent Diabetes is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin and is, therefore, unable to convert nutrients into the energy necessary for daily activity. The disorder affects females and males approximately equally. Although the causes of insulin-dependent diabetes are not known, genetic factors seem to play a role. Symptomatology -------------------------------- Normally, sugars and starches (carbohydrates) in the foods we eat are processed by digestive juices into glucose. Glucose circulates in the blood as a major energy source for body functions. Its use is regulated primarily by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas gland (located behind the stomach). In the person with diabetes, there is a malfunction in the production of insulin. There are two main types of diabetes: Type I or Insulin-Dependent and Type II or Noninsulin-Dependent. The insulin-dependent type of diabetes generally has onset during childhood or adolescence, though it can occur at any age. Because the pancreas supplies little or no insulin in this disease, daily injections of the hormone and a controlled diet are necessary to regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin is generally effective in preventing glucose buildup, but it is a treatment and not a cure for diabetes. The onset of Insulin-Dependent Diabetes begins with frequent urination, extreme thirst, constant hunger, and unexplained weight loss. Because people with Type I Diabetes lack sufficient insulin, glucose accumulates in the blood to levels too high for the kidneys to excrete. In an effort to remove the excess sugar, the kidneys excrete large amounts of water as well as essential body elements resulting in frequent urination, thirst, and weakness. Hunger and fatigue are caused by the body's inability to utilize foods properly for nourishment and energy. To find alternate sources of energy, the body turns to its stores of fat and protein, causing weight loss and the accumulation of fat breakdown products (acetone and related acids) in the blood. These metabolites of fat produce increased acidity of the blood, and a potentially fatal condition (ketoacidosis) can result if treatment is not prompt. A child with Type I Diabetes may also fail to grow and develop normally. Diabetics of all ages may experience itching of the skin, changes in vision, and slow healing of cuts and bruises. Medical attention should be sought if any of these symptoms occur. The diabetic condition can result in certain long-term complications which may involve many organs of the body. The blood vessels, nervous system, kidneys and eyes are particularly affected. While successful control of blood glucose levels may reduce the risk of complications, the exact relationship between these factors is not fully understood. Studies are being conducted to determine whether strict blood glucose control plays a significant role in preventing or delaying the onset of complications resulting from diabetes. 1. Cardiovascular Complications. Heart and blood vessel diseases such as heart attack, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), and stroke are the leading causes of illness, disability and death among diabetics. Persons with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from coronary heart disease and stroke and five times as likely to suffer from arterial disease of the limbs than the non-diabetic population. Exactly how diabetes damages the cardiovascular system is not yet clear. 2. Diabetic Nephropathy (Kidney Disease). Kidney (renal) disease, or diabetic nephropathy, can be a serious complication of diabetes. Normally, the kidneys cleanse impurities from the blood, but diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in the kidney and interfere with this vital process. A procedure called hemodialysis is frequently used to remove waste products from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform this function adequately. Diabetics with serious renal disease may also be candidates for a kidney transplant if a suitable donor organ is available. 3. Diabetic Neuropathy (damage to the nerves). Diabetes can also cause a complication called Diabetic Neuropathy which is damage to the peripheral nerves. These nerves run throughout the body, connecting the spinal cord to muscles, skin, blood vessels, and all other organs. Most importantly, they serve as the primary link between the central nervous system and the entire body. Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy; however, this condition can also result from injury, alcoholism, or other factors. Almost all people with diabetes eventually develop some peripheral nerve involvement, but for many, it is slight and produces no symptoms. For the