Diabetes Mellitus

Definition
The term diabetes mellitus leads to several health conditions that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is essential for health because it is the main energy source for muscle and tissue.

If you have any type of diabetes, it means you have too much glucose. Too much glucose in the blood will cause serious problems. Consists of chronic diabetes diabetes type 1 and type 2.

Symptom
Symptoms of diabetes vary by type of diabetes you have. If you have prediabetes (blood sugar levels higher than normal but not enough to be categorized as diabetes) or gestational diabetes (elevated blood sugar during pregnancy) may not experience symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes type 1 and type 2 among others:
� Frequent thirst
� Frequent urination
� Very hungry
� Lost weight suddenly
� Fatigue
� The view blurred
� Where have cuts, sores are difficult to heal
� Frequent infections, such as gum or skin infections and vaginal or bladder infections

Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children and adolescents although basically can occur at any age. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type can occur at any age and can often be prevented.


Causes & Risk Factors
Cause

To be able to understand about diabetes you need to know how the body's glucose is processed normally.

How does it work normally glucose
Glucose is the main source of energy for the body. Glucose comes from two main sources, namely the food and the liver. When the digested food is absorbed sugars into the bloodstream with the assistance of insulin (a hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism). The hormone insulin is produced by the pancreas.

In this process the liver acts as a storage warehouse and processing center. For example, when you do not eat for some time, the liver releases stored glucose to maintain glucose levels remain normal.

 - The cause of type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, your immune system that normally functions to fight bacteria or viruses attacking the hormone insulin. This condition makes you short or no insulin. Rather than being delivered into the cell, the sugar will accumulate in the bloodstream.

- Causes of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
On the condition of prediabetes - which can lead to diabetes type 2 - and type 2 diabetes, cells become resistant to the hormone insulin. This causes the pancreas unable to produce enough insulin. Instead of flowing into the cell, the sugar will accumulate in the blood. The exact cause is unknown although the excess fat and passive behavior is an important factor.

- The cause of gestational diabetes
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to sustain pregnancy. This hormone makes the cells more resistant to insulin. As enlargement of the placenta in the second and third three months, then more and more hormone is produced.
Normally, the pancreas will respond by producing more insulin. But sometimes it is not able to respond pancreas. This makes many accumulate in the blood glucose and is not absorbed into the cell.


Risk factors

Risk factors for diabetes are based on the type of diabetes.

- Risk factors for type 1 diabetes
Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known, heredity may affect. Another factor is affected by diseases caused by viruses.

- Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
� Fats. The more fat in your body tissue, the higher the resistance to insulin.
� Conduct passive. Passive behavior will make the fat in the body does not burn. Physical activity will help control it and the more the use of glucose for energy, the more your cells are sensitive to glucose.
� Heredity.
� Age. The risk increases with the age at which physical activity tends to decrease.
� Gestational diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy, the risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes will increase later. If your baby born weighing more than 4 pounds, then you are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
� Polycystic ovary syndrome. Characterized by irregular menstrual periods, hair growth and obesity are too much.

Other conditions associated with diabetes include:
� High blood pressure
� Cholesterol


Prevention

Type 1 diabetes is not preventable. However, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
� Eat healthy foods low in calories and fat
� More physically active, especially with exercise
� Maintain a healthy weight

Many types of skin cancer can be prevented formation, among other things:
� Avoid the sun between the hours of 10 pm to 4 pm
� Use protective sun creams
� Use sun protective equipment
� Be aware of certain drugs, including antibiotics, cholesterol, birth control pills, nonsteroidal anti-swelling and acne drug isotretinoin.
� Check your skin regularly health
� Sports leather for those aged 40 years and over

Source : http://health.kompas.com/