Diabetes Mellitus
A chronic disease of metabolism distinguished by the body�s inability to produce enough insulin. Insulin is necessary for body cells to transport sugars to the cells and in order to process carbohydrates, fat, and protein efficiently. Injections of insulin is the necessary treatment. Insulin-dependent diabetes often begins around 30 and is called ketosis-prone diabetes. Juvenile diabetes begins in childhood.
Causes of Diabetes Mellitus
Cause is unknown as to why the islet cells of the pancreas produce too little insulin. Virus infection of the pancreas may be a cause.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus
Symptoms include fatigue, excess thirst, increased appetite, weight loss, frequent urination, itching around the genitals, increased susceptibility to infections, especially urinary--tract infections, and yeast infections of the skin, mouth, or vagina.
An increase in the fasting blood sugar levels above 120 mg & that of post-lunch levels above 140 mg calls for attention. However levels below 160 mg can be usually brought under control with diet control & exercise. Levels above these usually require medication along with diet control & exercise.Uncontrolled diabetes in the long run could cause a lot of complications to many organs like heart, brain, kidneys, eyes besides tingling & numbness of hands & feet with decreased sensations. Medication could be in the form of oral tablets or insulin injections in people whom the levels cannot be controlled with oral tablets. Diet chart is prepared differently for each individual patient & it is important to follow it strictly.
Homeopathic medicines can be started if the levels are below 200mg. However for higher levels it is advisable to start a combination of allopathic & homeopathic medicines & then taper the dose of allopathic tablets as the levels decrease. |
