Description of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin or to use the insulin produced in the proper way. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death among Americans; over 15 million Americans suffer from one form or another of this disease.

After a meal, a portion of the food a person eats is broken down into sugar (glucose). The sugar then passes into the bloodstream and to the body's cells via a hormone (called insulin) that is produced by the pancreas.

Normally, the pancreas produces the right amount of insulin to accommodate the quantity of sugar. However, if the person has diabetes, either the pancreas produces little or no insulin or the cells do not respond normally to the insulin. Sugar builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine and then passes from the body unused. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage:

• eyes - leading to diabetic retinopathy and possible blindness
• blood vessels - increasing risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery obstruction
• nerves - leading to diabetic neuropathy, foot sores and possible amputation, possible paralysis of the stomach, chronic diarrhea
• kidneys - leading to kidney failure

Diabetes has also been linked to impotence and digestive problems. It is important to note that controlling blood pressure and blood glucose levels, plus regular screenings and check-ups, can help reduce risks of these complications.

There are two main types of diabetes, Type I and Type II:

Type I diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset diabetes, because it tends to affect persons before the age of 20) affects about 10 percent of people with diabetes. With this type of diabetes, the pancreas makes almost no insulin.

Type II diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. This was previously called "adult-onset diabetes" because in the past it was usually discovered after age 40. However, with increasing levels of obesity and sedentary lifestyle, this disease is now being found more and more in adolescents - and sometimes even in children under 10 - and the term "adult onset" is no longer used.

Type II diabetes comprises about 90 percent of all cases of diabetes. With this type of diabetes, either the pancreas produces a reduced amount of insulin, the cells do not respond to the insulin, or both.

There are three less common types of diabetes called gestational diabetes, secondary diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT):

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and causes a higher than normal glucose level reading.

Secondary diabetes is caused by damage to the pancreas from chemicals, certain medications, diseases of the pancreas (such as cancer) or other glands.

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a condition in which the person's glucose levels are higher than normal.

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SKIN DISORDERS

Dry skin: Normal healthy skin looks pink, feels smooth & soft is well preserved. If the superficial skin cells are deprived of water, the skin looks parched, cracked, feel rough and hard. There are several reasons for developing dry skin. It can be a result of frequent washing (which removes natural oils) or a failure to protect the skin with regular applications of moisturizing cream. Certain environmental factors like wind, sun exposure & over heated homes can also dehydrate the skin. Some times dryness is hereditary- then it is called ichthyosis. As we age, our skin gradually becomes rough & parched.

Acne: Acne is one of the commonest skin problems. It produces unsightly spots on the face, neck, chest, back & upper arms although traditionally considered a teenage problem (8 out of 10 teenagers suffer from it), acne can affect people even in their forties. One out of every 20 persons in the fourth decade has acne. Even though it is a common problem, acne causes much anguish in the victims, so much advice is preferred to them that they really do not know what to do. More ever acne can some time go on for ages, producing both physical & psychological scars. The sebaceous gland is the site of the problems. These glands produce sebum which, contains cholesterol, fatty acids and waxes, several things can go wrong with this fairly simple process. For example, if the production of sebum increases or if dead cells clog up the openings of the glands, the flow of the sebum gets disturbed. The pores get blocked & black pimples develop as the sebum spills into the surrounding tissue.

These pimples might even get infected. Male hormones, the androgens, are thought to be responsible, at least in part, for the over production of sebum & the consequent development of acne. In the past, diet had been held responsible for aggravating the problem. Hence for years, chocolates, spices & fatty foods were considered a taboo for acne patients. Recent studies however have scientifically exploded this myth. So dietary restrictions are no longer necessary to combat the onslaught of acne. Other factors, which affect acne, are menstruation, stressful conditions, hot humid climates and genetic factors. Cosmetic preparations containing lanolin & paraffin are known to exacerbate. Pimples may also occasionally occur as a side effect of drugs taken for other illness. Oral drugs are required when acne is severe and can not be controlled by local measures. Scars which result from acne require specialized care & management.

Skin allergies: When the skin cannot tolerate certain substances, it reacts to their presence; this reaction can be either in the form of eczema or in the form of hives, this result in itching and redness of the skin. It is often difficult to pin point the cause of the allergy. It could be something you have ingested-foods, medicines, drinks or something you have applied cosmetics, antiseptics or something you have worn-cloths, jewellery or something you have only touched detergents, plants, vegetable, chemicals. So looking for the causes is sometimes really like looking for proverbial needle in the haystack.

Deciding exactly what has caused the allergic reaction is difficult of several other reasons too.

The reaction may take a few hours to few days to develop; it may not develop immediately.

Cosmetics companies are extremely secretive about the ingredients of their products, making it difficult for the patient & the doctor to identify the cause of the rash. The reaction can develop even to minute amounts of the substance & the patients might not even be aware of the contact.

More ever the substances can get on to the skin in all sorts of indirect ways; for example, nail varnish can easily cause reactions on the face because we all touch our face several times a day.

Hives or urticaries: Hives are temporary swellings of the skin, caused by a localized collection of fluid in the dermis due to leakage from the blood vessels. Articaria can result from any of the following: -

·         Allergy to foods, pollens or drugs.

·         Changing to the temperature.

·         Infections, including the presence of worms and Emotional upset.

Some times the cause can not be accurately determined. A few individuals get hives repeatedly, but in most people urticaria usually gets better over a period of time. If the cause can be made out, it is easy to cure urticaria.

Moles & tumors: Moles are actually abnormal multiplication of the pigment cells of the skin. They are usually black or brown, but may some times be pink. They can be smooth or irregular, flat and raised and may even be hairy. They can be present absolutely anywhere on the body. Moles began to appear in childhood and continue to increase during adolescence. An average adult has between 15-20 moles spread over the body. Any mole which, appear later on life or one which changes in size rapidly or one which has a tendency to bleed needs to be treated.

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