Diabetes as an overall term of diseases that affect the body's ability to produce or respond positively to the insulin hormone results in high levels of blood glucose as the agency cannot conduct efficient carbohydrate metabolism. There are two main kinds of diabetes, i.e., Type 1 and Type 2, and the World Health Organization predict that diabetes will be the seventh cause of deaths globally by 2030. Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when the body's immune system is altered thus the cells produce insufficient amounts of insulin. Type 2 diabetes, on the contrary, is the most prevalent type in about 90 percent of all diabetes diagnostics. The cells produce very low amounts of insulin or in some cases; the body is unable to utilize the produced insulin effectually. Symptoms of diabetes comprise but are not limited to: increased hunger, excess thirst and urination, sudden weight loss, blurred vision, numbness in the hands or feet, and fatigue.
History of Diabetes
The earliest mention of diabetes or diabetes mellitus was in 1552 BC (DeFronzo et al., 17) when an Egyptian physician registered normal urination as an underlying symptom of a strange disease that also caused emaciation. The disease that has been recognized for the past three millennia was later distinguished as Type I and Type II by an ancient Indian physician, but Arateus of Cappadocia was the first fabricator of the term diabetes. The Greek physician later defined what is currently known as diabetes as 'the thawing out of flesh and limbs into urine' (DeFronzo et al., 22). From then henceforth, physicians began to have an improved understanding about diabetes. The term mellitus was added by Thomas Willis, a London physician after tasting and rediscovering some sweetness in the urine of patients. He hypothesized that the passage of excess urine was the hallmark of the disease. Willis' discovery led to the labeling of patients as diabetic if their urine contained sugar. The Indians, however, were the very first to notice the sugar in urine.
In 1869, Paul Langerhans identified particular cells that were later known as `islets of Langerhans,' but the term insulin which refers to the secretions of the islets was later coined in 1909. Insulin was tested and found to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels. While working in a laboratory in 1889, experimenting with dogs, two researchers found that removing the pancreas could lead to diabetes because there was no insulin production to lower the levels of blood glucose. In the early 1900s, a German scientist, Georg Zuelzer discovered that injecting a diabetic patient with pancreatic extract was effective in controlling diabetes (Karamanou et al., 1). Later on, urine strips and glucometers were introduced for measuring the levels of blood sugar in patients thus making the disease more manageable and understandable. The periodic tests on blood glucose were carried out for long until the glycosylated hemoglobin estimation was introduced and it measured blood sugar control over the preceding three months. The new invention brought out a distinct aspect of diabetes management that was the firm control of blood glucose levels.
There was scanty knowledge about pathophysiology hence the early remedies for diabetes included a vast array of prescriptions that represented beliefs and practices of ancient times. Some of the prescriptions included sweet almonds concoctions, rose oil, dates, and raw quinces. Nonetheless, the hallmark of diabetes treatment was the advocacy for diet and exercise by various physicians in the 19th century, and this routine is still practiced to date in diabetes management. The 19th and 20th centuries foreshadowed considerable advances in medicine and more specifically the treatment of diabetes (DeFronzo et al., 23). After the discovery of insulin from experimenting on dogs, it spurred research into insulin production in varied modifications with different periods of action that changed the lives of a vast proportion of the world populace. The very first human insulin was manufactured in 1980 by Graham Bell, and syringes for administration were introduced in 1961, but because they were made of glass, they were avenues for infection. Thus, they were replaced with disposable plastic ones (DeFronzo et al., 23). Other paramount inventions that followed several years later were inhaled insulin, insulin pumps, and oral sprays which have offered painless doses.
Causes of Diabetes
Type I diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are destroyed by the body's immune system and the primary reasons for this type of diabetes include; genetic and environmental factors such as viruses. Although the primary cause is unclear, it is attributed to the factors above which may trigger the immune structure to attack the beta cells in the pancreas.
Type II diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, and the primary causes are factors ranging from genes to lifestyle dynamics (DeFronzo et al., 45). The first cause is physical inactivity and obesity because these two factors have been proven to increase the risk of insulin resistance. More specifically is excess fat around the belly which can hinder the effective action of insulin in metabolism. The second cause is insulin resistance which is typically the foregrounding factor to a diabetic condition. Insulin resistance is manifested through the failure of the liver, fat, and muscle cells to use insulin well. Consequently, the body needs more insulin to carry out metabolism and facilitate glucose transport to the cells. The pancreas strives to produce more insulin to meet the body's demands, but with time, the pancreas depreciates in insulin production, leading to a sharp rise in blood glucose levels. Genes and family history are also established factors that cause diabetes type II. Some specific types of genes may make one more likely to develop the condition since they run in the family. Additionally, some genes increase a person's tendency to become obese thus doubling the chances of insulin resistance.
The third and rare type of diabetes is gestational diabetes that can develop during pregnancy because of hormonal imbalance and lifestyle or genetic factors (DeFronzo et al., 47). Certain hormones produced by the placenta during the last trimester of pregnancy can contribute significantly to insulin resistance as some women can overcome insulin resistance by providing large amounts of insulin while others cannot thus leading to a diabetic condition. Secondly, weight gain which is normal during pregnancy can cause obesity if there is minimal physical activity, causing insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes can also be caused by genetic factors especially if the condition runs in the family.
Other known causes of diabetes include the following elements. Genetic mutations of cells can cause monogenic diabetes by reducing the pancreas' ability to produce insulin. Cystic fibrosis is another condition that leads to the production of thick mucus that may cause scarring of the pancreas hence affecting the latter's potential to produce enough insulin as required by the body (DeFronzo et al., 50). Hemochromatosis causes excess storage of iron in the body, and if left untreated, iron build-up can damage the pancreas and affect the production of insulin. Other hormonal diseases such as acromegaly and hyperthyroidism which are characterized by the production of excess growth hormone and thyroid hormone respectively can increase the chances of insulin resistance.
Damage or excess trauma to the pancreas can lead to the death of beta cells and eventually reduce the production of insulin hormone. Certain medicines can also harm the beta cells responsible for insulin production in the pancreas or interfere with the normal functioning of insulin. The medicines include; psychiatric drugs, anti-seizure drugs, pneumonia treatment drugs such as pentamidine, anti-organ rejection drugs, and some diuretics. They should be administered in controlled doses, and in case there are any side effects, it is crucial to seek the help of a physician.
Diabetes Medication
For patients with Type I diabetes, the most common type of medication used is insulin which is administered by injection and comes in various forms. The type of insulin given to a patient depends on the severity of insulin depletion. The options include short-acting insulin, rapid-acting insulin, an intermediate-acting insulin, long-acting insulin, and combination insulin (Abdel-Moneim et al., 4003-4007). Another important type of medication is using an Amylinomimetic drug that is injected before meals. The mode of the act of the drug is by lowering glucagon secretion after meals hence reducing blood sugar levels.
Diabetes type II patients mostly take oral medications though injections are also standard in rare cases. Other patients may need to take insulin depending on their health conditions. Their medication consists of formulas that minimize excess sugar availability in the blood and increase insulin production in the pancreas. They include Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, Biguanides, DPP-4 inhibitors, Glucagon-like peptides, and Sulfonylureas (Abdel-Moneim et al., 4010). Other common drugs for both types of patients are aspirin for healthy heart, drugs to counter high cholesterol, and high blood pressure medications. The medications are important for treating conditions that commonly occur alongside diabetes.
Conclusion
There are diverse types of medications available for diabetic patients, and they all work differently to help in controlling blood sugar. It is sensible to refer with a doctor which drugs are the best fit so that they make recommendations based on the diabetes type, health, and genetic factors.
Works Cited
Abdel-Moneim, Adel, and Heba Fayez. "A review on medication of diabetes mellitus and antidiabetic medicinal plants." International Journal of Bioassays 4.6 (2015): 4002-4012.
DeFronzo, Ralph A., et al., eds. International Textbook of Diabetes Mellitus, 2 Volume Set. Vol. 1. John Wiley " Sons, 2015.
Karamanou, Marianna, et al. "Milestones in the history of diabetes mellitus: The main contributors." World journal of diabetes 7.1 (2016): 1.
