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Introduction
- I will present a very simple overview on what three types of Diabetes
Mellitus are. I will then stress on Type II Diabetes Mellitus and
discuss its background information, including some statistical data and
comparative pictures of elderly population. Then I will talk about the
causes, symptoms, and some prevention of this disease. Finally my main
emphasis will be on the latest prevention and discovery by Shaman
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and other biotechnology companies in researching
in finding the cure of this disease. If you have any question or comments
on any information or on the web site, please E-mail me by clicking the
letter icon here. 
Prevalence
of Type II Diabetes Mellitus in aging population - I will present
some statistical data of elderly population on this disease.
Causes
of Type II Diabetes Mellitus - Just like the title said, I will
present the causes for this disease.
Symptoms
of Type II Diabetes Mellitus - There are a couple of different
symptoms that appear in the early stage of Type II Diabetes Mellitus. It
is very important for people to be aware of it and get the treatments as
soon as possible.
Possible
Prevention of Type II Diabetes Mellitus - I will show you some
healthy hints in preventing this disease.
Advances
in Treating Type II Diabetes Mellitus - I will present the current
possible treatments for this disease.
Conclusion
- In this section, I am going to tell you my opinion toward type
II Diabetes Mellitus in relation of current biotechnology
Links
- More links related with Type II Diabetes
Mellitus.
Introduction
There are basically three types of diabetes, Type
I Diabetes (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, or IDDM; formerly
known as "juvenile onset" or "ketosis prone" diabetes); Type II Diabetes
(Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or NIDDM; formerly called "adult-onset
diabetes"), and Gestational
Diabetes.
Type I (IDDM)
Type I: Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) occurs in 10% of all people with diabetes. This type tends to appear suddenly and progresses rapidly. The pancreas stops (or nearly stops) producing insulin, therefore insulin has to be injected to stay alive. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin, healthy diet, exercise, regular blood glucose monitoring and frequent interaction with health care professionals are essential for proper diabetes control.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes usually appears from the 24th week of the pregnancy. It is during this time that the mother's body has to increase the nourishment that she is providing to the growing fetus. During the second half of pregnancy the mother's insulin needs are 2 - 3 times higher than before pregnancy.
Type II: Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM), occurs in
90% of all persons with diabetes. It usually occurs in overweight adults
who are over 40 years of age whereas the other form of diabetes, type I
diabetes mellitus, usually develops in younger people. It is characterized
by increased blood sugar (glucose) and is often associated with abnormal
blood lipids, hypertension, and accelerated atherosclerosis.
More than 7 million people are known to have NIDDM, and 3 million of them have some disability. Among the population over age 45, about 6 percent have been diagnosed with NIDDM. Research studies suggest that another 6 percent have the disorder, but it has not been detected. In addition, another 6 percent have impaired glucose tolerance, a pre-diabetic state associated with increased death from cardiovascular disease. NIDDM occurs at higher rates among Native American Indians, African Americans, and Latinos.
Most cases of NIDDM can be controlled with diet and exercise, while people with type I diabetes require insulin throughout life. Patients with NIDDM do not produce enough insulin, or the body is unable to use the insulin it does produce. In either case, the body does not get enough of the fuel it needs to work. The unused sugar remains in the bloodstream or is excreted in the urine. These factors cause a patient to feel tired or thirsty and may cause blurred vision and polyuria (frequent urination). Mild symptoms are often excused as being attributable to advancing age. . Most people with NIDDM, have a strong family history of the disease. Most identical twins of patients with NIDDM also have this disability. Diet and exercise usually control this type of diabetes, though oral hypoglycemic medications (e.g., glyburide) are often prescribed.
Prevalence
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the ADA estimate that in
1996, approximately 15 million people suffered from Type 2 diabetes in
the United States, of whom approximately 7.5 million have been diagnosed
with the disease. Another 21 million Americans are estimated to have impaired
glucose tolerance, which is often a precursor to diabetes. The number of
diabetics worldwide is expected to more than double from an estimate of
135 million in 1996 to a projected 240 million by the year 2010. Each year
about 200,000 deaths, 400,000 heart attacks, 130,000 strokes, 60,000 amputations,
10,000 new cases of kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation,
and 6,000 new cases of blindness result from the same cause Non-Insulin
Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM). NIDDM also leads to other disabilities,
especially nerve damage that often results in impotence, numbness and weakness,
or intractable nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The disabilities caused
by diabetes result in 200 million days of restricted activity, 100 million
days of bed rest, and direct and indirect costs of more than $25 billion
dollars in the United States alone.
Experts estimate that 7 million to 7.5 million Americans have type II
diabetes. Native Americans, African Americans, and Latinos are particularly
at risk. Children of someone with this type of diabetes have a 25 to 30
percent chance of developing it. That risk may be as high as 50 to 75 percent
if both parents have the condition. Though researchers don't know exactly
why, being overweight increases your chance of having type II diabetes.
As many as four out of five people with this sort of diabetes were overweight
before becoming ill. Though anyone of any age can get type II diabetes,
most develop it after age 40 or so. Experts think our cells may become
more resistant to insulin as we get older, especially because many of us
lose muscle and gain fat as we age. It's possible that the combination
of age and weight may trip the genetic trigger that leads to the disorder.
Researchers believe that many people could avoid type II diabetes by exercising
which makes cells less resistant to insulin and by keeping their weight
down.
| Demographics |
|---|
| 14 million (5.2%) of the US population |
| 95-98% are Type II |
| 50% are still undiagnosed |
| 85% are over weight |
| usually > 40 years old |
| Risk Factors |
|---|
| Family history (90% twin concordance) |
| Obesity |
| Gestational diabetes (30-50% may go on to DM) |
| Hispanic, black, native American |
Causes
Diet and heredity both play a major role in the development of Type-II
or adult-onset diabetes. Certain families have a genetic background that
makes them more likely to develop the insulin resistance associated with
the disease. However, the genes related to
Type-II diabetes still have not been identified. Because family history
is such an important predictor of Type-II diabetes, it’s important for
members of high-risk families to be checked regularly for diabetes, especially
after they reach the age of 40.
Genetics, however, is not the only factor that determines who gets diabetes. It only places the person “at risk.” Research has shown environment is also a factor (e.g., diet and exercise). Obesity is a significant factor that may be important in the development of Type-II diabetes. Since obesity can cause insulin resistance in persons with a genetic tendency to develop diabetes, it may cause diabetes to appear earlier than usual. Studies show that up to 80% of all persons with Type-II diabetes are obese.
If you would like to know more about the causes for Type
II Diabetes Mellitus, please click 
Symptoms
The first warnings of Type II diabetes may include fatigue, frequent
urination, unusual thirst and hunger, weight loss despite eating more,
and, in women, recurrent vaginal yeast infections. Other signs and symptoms
may include blurred vision, slow healing of sores, frequent infections
and tingling or loss of feeling in your hands or feet.
However, many people with Type II diabetes initially have few, if any, symptoms. The disease is often discovered during laboratory tests as part of a routine physical exam.
Warning Signals for Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Prevention
Healthier Lifestyle
There's no simple answer as to what causes Type II diabetes. However, doctors do know certain factors can put you at increased risk.
Excess weight is a key factor -- 80 to 90 percent of people with Type II diabetes are overweight. Lack of physical exercise, an unhealthy diet, increasing age, a family history of diabetes and your ethnic background are other factors.
Medications such as cortisone and some high blood pressure drugs may also play a role in contributing to diabetes. In addition, developing temporary diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), and giving birth to a baby who weighs more than 9 pounds, are associated with an increased risk for developing Type II diabetes later on. Take control of your diabetes. Positive changes will help you!
Who should be screened for diabetes:
Nutrition
See your dietitian or nearest Diabetes Education Center. There you will learn about the "Good Health Eating Guide" (GHEG). Together you will create a meal plan to manage your blood glucose, suited to the foods you like.
Treatments
The treatment involves balancing food, exercise and medication to achieve
blood glucose levels approaching a normal range.
The doctor should refer you to a registered dietitian for diet instruction. The diet should be especially designed to help improve blood glucose and blood lipid levels as well as control weight. You should eat at least three meals and one or more snacks each day.
For more information on Nutritional Prevention of Type II Diabetes Mellitus, check Nutrition guidelines emphasize personal touch
Exercise can lower blood glucose levels and help your body to use glucose more efficiently. Exercise should be included as part of your daily management of diabetes. Exercise can help lower blood pressure and weight and help reduce the risk of heart disease. If blood glucose levels are over 240 mg/dl it is better to not exercise until your blood glucose is in better control. If you take insulin, carry a quick-acting sugar such as glucose tablets, dried fruit, or hard candy to eat in case of low blood sugar.
Some people can control their diabetes by diet and exercise. Others need to be on oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lowers blood glucose levels. It must be taken by injection. Insulin is a protein that would be digested like any protein if taken orally. Oral hypoglycemic agents are not insulin. It is not clear how oral agents work; it is thought that they may stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin, or may help glucose enter the cell to be used for energy.
Blood Glucose Monitoring
Blood glucose monitoring provides information about the level of glucose
in your blood. Using this information can help you control your diabetes.
Record your blood glucose levels and share this information with your doctor
and other members of your health care team. Together you can work as a
team to control your diabetes. Keeping blood glucose within acceptable
ranges may help prevent the
complications of diabetes.
Recommended for those on insulin or oral agents and
during periods of stress (infection or trauma).
- Some test before breakfast and before supper,
others before each meal and at bedtime.
- Frequent blood glucose measurements are indicated
when changes in medication or insulin occur.
- Stable blood glucose: test in AM and before supper,
2 to 3 X week.
If you aren't overweight, or you have extremely high blood sugar, diet and exercise alone often aren't enough. Most people with Type II diabetes eventually need medication -- either pills or insulin injections. When oral medications don't offer adequate blood sugar control, you're bothered by their side effects, or your blood sugar is extremely high on diagnosis, insulin is generally prescribed. Insulin must be injected instead of taken by mouth because it's a protein and, like food, breaks down in your digestive tract. If you take insulin, it doesn't mean that your diabetes is worse than that of someone who doesn't. For many people, insulin simply provides the best control with the fewest side effects.
Once blood sugar control is achieved, some people are able to switch
from insulin to oral medications, or to diet alone.
If you would like to know more about the Treatments and
Newly Discoveries for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, please click
Controlling diabetes is a balancing act which adjusts diet, medication
and exercise. Diabetes is a "family" disease. It is important to have the
support of your family, friends and community. However, it is up to you,
the individual with diabetes, to take control of the management of the
disease. Daily treatment can help control your diabetes and may reduce
your risk for complications. Treatment usually involves a combination of
exercise, proper diet and, if needed, medication.
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Last updated on 12/1/97
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