An Informative Essay On Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death listed in the United States. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. "In 1996 diabetes contributed to more than 162,000 deaths"(Lewis 1367). "Diabetes mellitus is not a single disease but a group of disorders with glucose intolerance in common" (McCance 674). Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar) and results from defective insulin production, secretion, and utilization. There are many forms of diabetes. "Diabetes increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disease, amputation, infections, kidney damage, eye problems (including blindness), and nerve malfunction" (Husain). I will
If bacteria are present infection can develop. When not treated properly, such ulcers can lead to diabetic gangrene or death of tissue (Harkreader 562). In gangrene the tissue is black and this alone should cause immediate concern. There are several treatments that can be prescribed by your doctor for diabetes. Eating the right foods and the right amount can help to control diabetes. You would have to restrict the carbohydrates and saturated fats that you take in a day. Small frequent meals throughout the day; for example, six meals spaced out over the course of the day instead of the three traditional meals. Restrict the amount of sugar you take in throughout the day. The doctor would recommend that you use a sugar substitute of some sort. Exercise and maintaining your ideal body weight can also help to control diabetes. Obesity is one of the leading precursors to NIDDM.
Your physician, to maintain your blood sugar, may prescribe oral hypoglycemics. There are several oral hypoglycemics used to treat NIDDM. The two most commonly used are glypizide and glyburide. "Oral hypoglycemics lower blood sugar indirectly by enhancing the production and the rate of insulin release from the pancreas" (Deakins 35,36).
Monitoring your blood sugar is essential in managing diabetes. Normal blood sugar should range from 70 to 120, which can vary from text to text. Working in the intensive care unit I've seen blood sugars as high as 900 and as low as 20. If your sugar is