Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which insulin is absent or cannot be used properly. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas, in the so-called pancreatic β-cells and whose mission is to allow glucose to enter the cells of our organism.
Glucose is the energy our body needs to carry out its functions, that is, our gasoline.
When glucose does not enter the cells, it may be either because there is no insulin (Diabetes Mellitus type I and final phase of Diabetes Mellitus type II), or because the cells of our body do not respond to insulin and it cannot get the glucose into the cells (Diabetes Mellitus type II).
Causes of Diabetes Mellitus
In Diabetes Mellitus type I, what happens is the destruction of the β cells, generally of autoimmune cause, that is, our immune system is altered and does not recognize as “its own” the B cells of the pancreas, it attacks and destroys them. Some viruses can cause this situation.
On the other hand, in type II Diabetes Mellitus, the problem is related to obesity, and it is more common in people over 40 years old, although its incidence among young people is currently increasing.
Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
In the treatment of both type I and type II Diabetes Mellitus, the objective is to restore abnormal glucose levels. In type I, insulin replacement therapy or insulin analogues are used. In type II, in the more advanced stages of the disease, insulin replacement therapy or insulin analogues are used, and in earlier stages of the disease, treatment with oral antidiabetics.
If not treated in time, Diabetes Mellitus can have several consequences.
Among them we can distinguish acute complications and chronic complications.
Acute complications are basically 2: hyperosmolar states (or “diabetic coma”) and hypoglycemia.
As for chronic complications, almost our whole body is affected. We find the damage of small blood vessels, the damage of peripheral nerves, the so-called diabetic foot that can cause hardly curable wounds and the poor blood supply of the feet, can lead to lacerations and eventually to amputation of the lower extremities. In addition, these chronic complications can translate into retinal damage, kidney damage, damage to large blood vessels, cerebrovascular damage, high blood pressure or skin damage.