History of Diabetes
Mellitus
According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC)
diabetes was the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States in the year
2000. Also according to the CDC, the total prevalence of diabetes in the United
States, for all ages, as of 2002 18.2 million people — 6.3% of the population —
have diabetes. 13.0 million of those are diagnosed, and 5.2 million people are
undiagnosed. The CDC officially describes diabetes as a
group of diseases described by high levels of blood glucose resulting from
defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.
It is a serious disease
which has made its marks throughout history. The Egyptians first described
Diabetes in 1500BC in accounts written on papyrus, on which it was noted the
attraction of ants to the sweet urine of an individual with the disease. The
ancient Hindus and Greeks also noted in their texts the symptoms of the disease,
and each culture held its own form of treatment. The full name of the disease —
diabetes mellitus — was derived from the Greek words for "syphon" and "sugar";
which describes the most prevalent observable symptom of uncontrolled diabetes:
excessive urination that contains extremely large amounts of glucose.
However, it was not until Claude Bernard in 1857 noted
that the disease was due to an excess of glucose production and that the liver
played a role in glycogenesis. In 1889, Mering and Minkowski related the
pancreas and insulin production to the pathogenesis of diabetes; and in 1921
Banting and Beast were able to isolate isulin and utilize it for the clinical
treatment of patients with diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
 | Type I Diabetes-also
called juvenile diabetes. It is normally diagnosed in children, teenagers, or
young adults. In this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas cease
insulin production, because the body's immune system has attacked and
destroyed them. Because of this, Type I can also be referred to as an
autoimmune disease, though cause is still unknown. |
| Type II Diabetes-also
referred to as adult-onset diabetes. It is the most common form of the disease
(90-95% of all diabetics) and can develop at any age. It is usually associated
with insulin resistance as opposed to a lack of insulin production. |
| Gestational Diabetes-a
rare condition that can occur during pregnancy, and is a result of a shortage
of insulin or a hormonal imbalance during pregnancy. It normally goes away
after birth, however women who have experienced Gestational Diabetes are at
higher risk to develop Type II Diabetes. |
| "Pre-Diabetes"-Individual
experiences higher than average blood glucose levels, but not yet at the level
of diabetes. These individuals usually develop Type II within 10 years. |
| Diabetic Ketoacidosis-Type
I diabetic coma |
| Hyperosmolar
Nonketogenic Coma-Type II diabetic coma associated with profound
dehydration. Death rate over 50%. |
| Diabetic
Retinopathy-Untreated diabetes can often cause the individual to go
blind. |
| Diabetic neuropathy-Dulled
perception of the senses. |
| Diabetic
nephropathy-Leading cause of death due to diabetes. |
| Glycosulated proteins |
| Dental Problems |
| Aldose reductase-This
enzyme, which is responsible for the production of polyols, is linked to
diabetic complications such as diabetic cataracts. Inhibiton of this enzyme
via flavanoid drugs-such as quercetin-appear to work in prevention of such
complications. |
| Foot ulcers |
