Diabetes Mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has increased blood sugar. This is either because the body does not produce enough insulin or because cells do not respond to the insulin produced.
In 2000 according to the WHO at least 121 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes or 2.8 percent of the population as a whole.
Its incidence is rapidly increasing and it is estimated by 2030 this number will almost double. The greatest increase in prevalence is in Asia. The increase in incidence of diabetes in developing countries follows the trends of urbanisation and lifestyle changes, perhaps most importantly the adoption of a Western style diet.
There are three main types of diabetes. The first results from the bodys failure to produce insulin and requires the person to inject insulin.
This is also referred to as juvenile diabetes. Another form referred to as adult on-set diabetes results from insulin resistance; a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly. Gestational diabetes occurs when pregnant women who have never had diabetes before have increased blood glucose levels during pregnancy.
The classical symptoms of diabetes are poly urea (frequent urination), polydypsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger). Management of diabetes concentrates on keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible without presenting undue patient danger.
USMAN JAVED
Lahore