diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes originated at an early time. The earliest recording of diabetes was found by Egyptians in 1550 BC who called in Ebers Papyrus. The name ‘diabetes’ came from the Greek word ‘siphon’ that means ‘to pass through’. There is written information concerning diabetes known as early as the 17th century. ... Western nations began to have an increasing number of cases that would later be diagnosed as diabetes. Diabetes became one of the first chronic illnesses of the endocrine system to come to the attention of the medical society. ... One was diabetes mellitus, its present name, which means sweet as honey. The other name given was diabetes insipidus. ... One hundred years later, two scientists, Oskar Minkowski and Joseph von Mering found that the pancreas was the main link to diabetes. During the 19th century, evidence was found that the mortality of diabetes patients has increased by 50% between 1860- 1890. It was documented at that time that diabetes was twice as likely to affect men as it was to affect women. ... Diabetes had always been associated with sugar in urine. ... The term “diabetes” actually refers to three different illnesses. One kind, named type 1 is usually referred to insulin dependent diabetes. It is also called juvenile onset diabetes since most of the patients are in their childhood or adolescence. Another type of diabetes is type 2. It is called non-insulin dependent diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes. ... The other type of diabetes is called gestational diabetes. ... 9% of the population that are currently living with diabetes. ... Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure. ... There are many causes of diabetes. For type 1, the cause of diabetes is purely genetics. Diabetes is caused by the immune system destroying the insulin producing beta cells in a auto immune response. Others plausible cause of diabetes may be cow’s milk and oxygen free radicals. ... Type 1 diabetes seems to be more prevalent in Caucasians than other racial groups. Researchers have discovered many different genes that many contribute to the heredity of diabetes. Those genes are called “diabetes susceptibility” genes. One set of genes that may cause diabetes is human leukocyte antigens (HLA). ... White blood cells attack the insulin producing cells in type 1 diabetes. ... HLA-DR is the type that is most strongly associated with diabetes. Two forms of HLA-DR, DR3 and DR4, are hypothesized to increase your risks of developing diabetes. Auto antibodies are usually found in people that have type 1 diabetes. ... Even though it is generally accepted that type 1 diabetes is cause by genetics, some scientists believe that viruses have an affect. Many studies have found that large number of cases of diabetes have been discovered just after a viral epidemic. ... Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics. In fact, there is an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes as opposed to type 1. Diabetes is more prevalent in minorities compared to Caucasian. Native Americans have the great chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Again, scientists do not know the exact gene that causes diabetes. ... Also, most people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Scientists believe that certain genes linked with obesity also play some role in type 2 diabetes. Genetics may play a role in obesity, and therefore increasing the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. The other type of diabetes is called gestational. ... These hormones can block the insulin’s action that causes insulin All pregnant women have some insulin resistance, but it when there is an exceptional large amount of resistance that it is diagnosed as gestational diabetes. It is not a lack of insulin production that cases diabetes, but rather the body’s resistance to insulin. Developing gestational diabetes increases your risks of developing type 2 diabetes later in your life. Most gestational diabetes is diagnosed between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. Still, most women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes show signs of having an increased level of blood glucose even before this time. Many doctors believe that the diabetes is present before the pregnancy as type 1 or type 2, but it just appears as the body is under stress during this time of pregnancy.