What is Diabetes? The word diabetes, meaning “Siphon” was first given by the Greek physician Arateus in the 2nd century describe patients with great thirst and excessive variation. In the 17the century, it was observed that urine of diabetic patients was sweet, so the word mellitus, meaning ‘honey honey’ was added to it. The sweet urine of diabetics is due to increased blood sugar level which leads to spillage of glucose into the urine. The sweet urine of diabetic individuals attracts various flies, bees, ants, etc. Hence, Diabetes mellitus is a clinical disorder in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high known as Hyperglycaemia. |  |
It occurs due to absence or insufficient production of Insulin. It is a chronic condition, as it lasts lifetime, but can be well controlled. Diabetes mellitus is known as “Madhumeha” in Ayurveda. It is also known as “rich man’s disease” because people who are over nourished usually get afflicted by it.
It is a very common disease, affecting an estimated 150 million people worldwide. It is an endocrine disorder causing various metabolic changes in the body leading to severe complications such as damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels. If managed properly, it can be well controlled but if not managed daily, medical emergencies can arise. The incidence of Diabetes are increasing rapidly and the day is no far, when number of individuals affected by diabetes will double.
Another form of diabetes, known as Diabetes insipidus is known. It is a rare disease. In this case, the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus of brain, functions abnormally. It leads to lack of vasopressin a hormone that controls the amount of water leaving the body as urine. So the kidney cannot retain water that passes to them from the blood. The patient urinates excessively and becomes extremely thirsty. But the urine of such patients is face from sugar. Most cases of Diabetes Insipid us cannot be cured, but the disease can be kept under control by taking vasopressin.
The American Dental Association has recommended to screen the individuals for diabetes at least every three years. A person at high risk should be screen more often. This makes the patient aware of the disease, and proper measures can be taken to prevent it. Nov. 14 is the World Diabetes Day and Survey Data has shown an alarming 14% increase the number of people with diabetes in the past two years alone. They have warned of a coming ‘explosion” in diabetes and its complications unless action is taken to curb the mush roaming incidence of Diabetes.
Diabetes History
Diabetes mellitus is known to the human beings many years ago mainly from prehistoric times. In earlier day, a clinical diagnosis of diabetes was an invariable death sentence, more or less quickly. Even non-progressing type 2 diabetes was left undiagnosed. But with the discovery of insulin, its treatment is made possible. Diabetes was first identified by Egyptians about 3500 years ago.
It has been explained in the medical books of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Indian, Rome and China. In the ancient books it has been mentioned that the disease is associated with polyuria, ploydipsia, etc. A Roman citizen has described diabetes as a melting down of the flesh and limbs into urine. Moreover, the Charaka and Sushruta, well known Ayurvedic physicians, described that the diabetic patients’ passes sweet urine in large amount that is rain of honey. The Role of Insulin in our body WHAT IS INSULIN?
Insulin is a hormone, synthesized and secreted by Pancreas, which is and elongated structure about 15 cm in length, 100 gm is weight and is situated behind the stomach. The pancreas consists of two parts-the Exocrine and Endocrine. The Exocrine part constituents about 80 to 85% of the total gland. The total weight of endocrine pancreas in the adult however does not exceed 1-1.5 gm. The exocrine part secretes various enzymes which are needed for digestion.
The endocrine, part consists of “ Islets of Langerhans” which are made up of several types of cells. They are alpha cells (also called A cells) which secrete glucagons; the beta cells (also called B Cells) which secrete insulin; delta cells (also called D cells) which secret somatostatin.Insulin was first discovered in 1922 by Banting and Best. Its chemical structure was worked out in 1956 by Sanger. Steiner discovered by Proinsulin in 1967.
Because of the Insulin secretion, blood sugar remains within the normal limits.
Symptoms of Diabetes In most instances, diabetes mellitus comes into light only when it has already got complicated. This is when treatment of the disease becomes quite difficult. Hence, it is very important to notice the initial signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus so that its prevention can be done in the right time.
Factors on which the Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus Depend
Each person may not show the same signs and symptoms for diabetes mellitus. One reason is that the hormonal balances in each person are different, and their autoimmune systems are quite different. The signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus depend on several factors, such as:-
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