Diabetes mellitus and hypogycemia,
two side of one coin
Diabetes: Derived from the Greek word “diabaino” that describes a device in the form of a siphon that is used to pour wine from a barrel into a jug. Similarly the expression was used to describe the behaviour of water in the body of an untreated diabetic as “the discharge of water”. Mellitus: Latin form of the Greek “mellitos” which roughly means “honey-sweet”. www.ypsomed.com This article is intending to give you relevant diabetes information.
Information you can use for your own advantage. You must distinguish high levels of blood sugar (diabetes mellitus) and low levels of blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) Diabetes mellitus is often referred to simply as "diabetes". A syndrome of disordered metabolism, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Multiple chemicals and hormones in the body, including the hormone insulin made in the beta cells of the pancreas control blood glucose levels.
High level of blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia)
The blood glucose level is the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose – a sugar that comes from the foods we eat – is formed and stored inside the body. As it is the main source of energy for the cells of our body, it is carried to each cell through the bloodstream. When not treated, having too much sugar in the blood for long periods of time can cause serious health problems. Hyperglycemia can cause damage to the bloodvessels that supply blood to vital organs. There is and increased risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems. Reasons for having high levels of blood sugar are pancreas failing to release insulin and highly active levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the brain. The signs of high blood glucose are: feeling thirsty, urinating often, feeling tired, sweating.Insulin
Insulin is a hormone with extensive effects on both metabolism and several other body systems. Insulin causes most of the body's cells to take up glucose from the blood (including liver, muscle, and fat tissue cells), storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle, and stops use of fat as an energy source. When insulin is absent (or low), glucose is not taken up by most body cells and the body begins to use fat as an energy source. When control of insulin levels fails, diabetes mellitus results.Adrenalin (epinephrine)
Epinephrine is a "fight or flight" hormone. It plays a central role in the short-term stress reaction. When danger threatens or in an emergency it is released from the adrenal glands, hence an Adrenaline rush. Think of triggers like threatening, exciting, or environmental stressor conditions such as high noise levels, or bright light and high ambient temperature (see Fight-or-flight response). When Epinephrine is released in the bloodstream, it rapidly prepares the body for action in emergency situations. This hormone boosts the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles, while suppressing other non-emergency bodily processes (digestion in particular). Under its influence the heart rate and stroke volume increases, the pupils dilate, and the arterioles in the skin and gastrointestinal tract constrict. Meanwhile dilating arterioles in skeletal muscles. Blood sugar level is elevated by increasing catabolism of glycogen to glucose in the liver, and at the same time begins the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. Although epinephrine does not have any psychoactive effects, stress or arousal also releases norepinephrine in the brain. Norepinephrine has similar actions in the body, but is also psychoactive.Pancreas failure
It has been shown that diabetes mellitus occurs due to defects in either insulin secretion or insulin action in the body. The pancreas produces insulin in the islets of Langerhans (hence the name from the Latin insula for "island"). When the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin (if any) or when the insulin produced doesn't work effectively. This causes a high level of glucose in the blood. Diabetes information in the internet sums up two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes: The cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, thereby causing a severe lack of insulin. This can be the result autoimmune reaction of an of the body attacking and destroying its own cells in the pancreas. Why this happens is not clear. To sum up a number of explanations (hypotheses) and possible triggers of this reaction:- infection with a specific virus or bacteria;
- exposure to food-borne chemical toxins; and
- exposure as a very young infant to cow's milk, where an as yet unidentified component of this triggers the autoimmune reaction in the body.
- the receptors on cells in the body fail to be stimulated by insulin - also known as insulin resistance. In response to this more insulin may be produced, and thus exhausting the pancreas by over-production of the insulin-manufacturing cells;
- there is simply insufficient insulin available; and
- the insulin that is available may be abnormal and therefore doesn't work properly.