Healthy

Diabetes Mellitus is one of degeneratif diseases, caused by function or structure from tissue or organs in a progressive decrease over time due to age or due to lifestyle choices. To known diabetes mellitus, on this occasion will be discussed the definitions, classification and diagnosis.

1. Diabetes Melitus Defenitions

Diabetes Mellitus is a serious chronic metabolic disorder that has significant impact on one’s health because the condition in which the concentration of glucose in the blood is chronically higher than normal values or in the field of medicine known as hyperglycemia. This is caused because the body lacks insulin or ineffective insulin action. This disease is also known as a disease resulting from modern lifestyle.

2. Classification of Diabetes Mellitus

According to American Diabetes Association (ADA), Diabetes Mellitus classified in three type, consist of:

1) Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

This type is caused by damage of pancreatic beta cells resulting in absolute insulin deficiency. This type is commonly suffered by people bellow 30 years old, especially starting at age 10 to 13 years.

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is not clear, but allegedly caused by a viral infection that causes excessive auto-immune to quell the virus. As a result, immune cells not only eradicate the virus, but also damage the Langerhans cells. Hereditary factor is also a factor. Number of Patients with these types of about 10-20% of diabetics.

2) Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
This type is caused by impaired insulin secretion because of progressive insulin resistance. This type is caused by genetic factors and triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle. On average this type of patients over the age of 40 years. However, with modern lifestyle nowdays, Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 prevalence was increasing with younger patients. Also be the cause of the aging process due to shrinkage of beta cells that progressively decreases insulin secretion and sensitivity of receptors is also decreased. Other causes of youth suspected viral infection.

This type often be controlled simply by changing the lifestyle, especially by setting a good diet and balanced, exercise regularly, not smoking, and avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages.

3). Gestational Diabetes

In this case, diabetes will only be suffered by women during pregnancy and usually returns to normal after pregnancy. However, in some cases can grow uncontrolled further post-birth. This type of diabetes must be handled properly. If not, will have a negative impact on the fetus such as congenital disorders, respiratory disorders in infants, and even fetal death.

4). Other types of Diabetes Mellitus

This type caused by other factors such as genetic effects on pancreatic beta cells function in insulin produce, exocrine pankreatic deseases or effects of drugs.

3. Diabetes Mellitus Diagnose

Type 2 diabetes is a syndrome with abnormalities of carbohydrate and fat metabolism. The main clinical feature is hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose > 126 mg/dl, or glikosilation A1c (HbA1c) > 6.9%). Abnormalities that accompany diabetes includes hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and atherosclerosis.
Nowdays, there are at least four known causes of hyperglycemia, they are an increase of carbohydrate intake, decreased insulin secretion, increased liver glucose output and increasing peripheral glucose intake (insulin resistance). Each of these causes requires approaches/ different treatment. Therefore, the diagnosis of the cause of hyperglycemia for each diabetic patient is very important to determine the most appropriate type of treatment.

(Friday, April 23, 2009)