AACB 1223

HOMEOSTASIS AND EXCRETION

School of Arts and Science
Diploma in Chemistry and Biology
Semester 2
Academic year 2013/2014

ARTICLES
( Assignment )
DIABETES MELLITUS

NAME :

Loh Mei Teng

STUDENT ID :

13WAD04678

GROUP :

A2

LECTURER INCHARGED :

Ms.Lim

1.0

2.0

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes Mellitus,or diabetes is the term for a group of metabolic diseases

and describes the initial and main of all diabetes symptoms is the excretion
of sugar in the urine. In the early days, the urine was tasted to detect whether
the increased sugar content had made it sweeter or not. Diabetes is the
collective term for various(heterogeneous) metabolic abnormalities that
affect the blood . The reason behind this disease is either scarcity of insulin
or the body is not accepting of insulin or both. Depending on the cause there
are different types of this disease which are based on unifying similarities.
To increase the awareness of this disease, November 14 is celebrated as
World Diabetes Day .
Diabetes Mellitus is a complex diseases , which occurs in two main forms,
insulin dependent (type I) and non-insulin dependent (type II). Type I
diabetes is sometimes called juvenile onset diabetes and people affected
require frequent injections of insulin. The cells,which produce the insulin ,
appear to have seen destroyed by the bodys immune system .The type II
diabetes can occur at any age but characteristically in adulthood. It can often
be found in people who are obese from over-eating. Type II diabetes appears
to be a result of a failure to respond to insulin which may be the result of
reduced numbers of insulin receptors . In many cases this form of disease
may be controlled by dietary means . For both types of diabetes , exercise is
also often beneficial .

Abstract
( summary for the articles )

As the research shown ,the chronic metabolic disorder diabetes mellitus is a fastgrowing global problem with huge social, health, and economic consequences. It is
estimated that in 2010 there were globally 285 million people (approximately 6.4% of the
adult population) suffering from this disease. This number is estimated to increase to 430
million in the absence of better control or cure. An ageing population and obesity are two
main reasons for the increase. Furthermore it has been shown that almost 50% of the
putative diabetics are not diagnosed until 10 years after onset of the disease, hence the
real prevalence of global diabetes must be astronomically high. This chapter introduces
the types of diabetes,symptoms , causes and treatments .

Extra Knowledge

There are also others kind of diabetes mellitus :

Gestational diabetes
- which occurs during in female pregnancy when women have high levels of
glucose .
Congenital diabetes
- a variation of the three mentioned .( type I , II and gestational diabetes )

3.0
3.1

DISCUSSION

SYMPTOMS

Type I

1. Fast loss of weight with dehydration and the feeling of being thirsty all
the time are the first signs .
2 . Frequent urination or vomiting and occasional leg cramps and abdominal
pain .
3. Feeling fatigued or weak with lack of concentration or vision issues
4 . Headaches are experienced too

Type II
1) No superficial symptoms are noticed in many patients of type II for a long period of
time .
2) Rarely associated with weight loss and only a massive increase in blood glucose
levels with increased urination and thirst are seen .
3) Blurred vision

3.2

CAUSES

Type I
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. In most people with type 1 diabetes, the
body's own immune system which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses or
mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing (islet) cells in the pancreas. Genetics may play
a role in this process, and exposure to certain viruses may trigger the disease.
The role of insulin
-Once the islet cells are destroyed, our body will produce little or no insulin. Insulin is a
hormone that comes from the pancreas, a gland situated behind and below the stomach.
The pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream and it circulates or enabling the sugar
to enter the cells.Then,insulin lowers the amount of sugar in our bloodstream.As the
blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
The role of glucose
-Glucose is a main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other
tissues.Normally,glucose comes from two major sources: food and liver. The sugar is
absorbed into the bloodstream, where it enters cells with the help of insulin.Then, the
liver function to store glucose as glycogen.
1 When the insulin levels are low, such as when we haven't eaten in a while, the
liver converts stored glycogen into glucose to keep your glucose level within a
normal range.
In type 1 diabetes, there's no insulin to let glucose into the cells, so sugar builds up in

our bloodstream, where it can cause life-threatening complications.

Type II
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the
pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although
excess weight and inactivity seem to be contributing factors.
The role of insulin
Insulin is a hormone that comes from the pancreas, a gland situated behind and below the
stomach.The pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream and its circulates or enabling
sugar to enter the cells.Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in our bloodstream.As the
blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
The role of glucose
Glucose is a main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other
tissues.Glucose comes from two major sources: food and your liver.Sugar is absorbed
into the bloodstream, where it enters cells with the help of insulin.Our liver stores and
makes glucose.
1 When your insulin levels are low, such as when you haven't eaten in a while, the liver
breaks down stored glycogen into glucose to keep your glucose level within a normal
range.
In type 2 diabetes, this process works improperly. Instead of moving into the cells, sugar
builds up in our bloodstream.

3.3

TREATMENTS

Type I
Medical treatment of type I diaabetes involves routine injection of insulin .
This is done to compensate for the bodies inability to produced its own insulin. The
delivery method must be done through injections because the digestive system would
destroy insulin if taken orally. The patient is closely monitored for a period of time at the
beginning of treatmennt until the frequency and dosage level are certain to meet the
patients needs.It is common for most patients to inject themselves .

Type II
Type II diabetes is sometimes treatable without medication. Patient are advised to change
their lifestyles and lose weight. If this method is unsuccessful after six months, a drug is
prescribed to assist in controlling blood sugar levels.

4.0

CONCLUSION

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system

mistakenly attacks the pancreas cells that create insulin. People with a
family history of the disease are have a greater chance of developing it.
Diabetes causes also included environmental factors. Individuals with high
blood pressure, a history of gestational diabetes and obesity are more prone
to developing type II diabetes . Besides.The older age people are tend to be
more at risk. Lastly,aside from medication, there are several things a patient
may do improve their diabetes condition which are consume heathy food and
do regular exercise . A healthy diet is integral in optimizing blood sugar
levels .

REFERENCES :
1) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1-diabetes/DS00329/DSECTION=causes
2) http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/diabetes-mellitus#
3) The British Journal of Dermatology, November 2013

PAGES

1.0 TITLE

2.0 INTRODUCTION

2-3

3.0 DISCUSSION
3.1 SYMPTOMS
3.2 CAUSES
3.3 TREATMENTS

4
5-6
7

4.0 CONCLUSION

REFERENCES