Diabetes: Anatomy and Physiology

Introduction

A person’s health is an essential concern since it directly affects their ability to live a fulfilling life. The health of the organs is crucial for optimum functioning because the effectiveness of the body depends on each one. One of the most essential topics in healthcare training is anatomy and physiology. Acknowledging patients’ medical conditions is easier with a background in anatomy and physiology. Furthermore, it aids in diagnosing, monitoring, and assessing a patient’s health. Medical students can better comprehend the general state of the human body thanks to the ideas surrounding this topic. This research paper analyses how diabetes affects the various body parts and the treatment and prevention methods.

History and Description of Diabetes

Diabetes has been studied by scientists and medical professionals for hundreds of years. The word diabetes comes from the Greek term, which means siphon, and the Latin name Mellitus means honeyed or sweet. This is because blood and urine both contain extra sugar in diabetes. Additionally, diabetes was referred to as the “pissing evil” in the 17th century¹. This condition was typically fatal in the past and the Middle Ages. In 1552 B.C., excessive urination was listed by an Egyptian doctor as a symptom of a strange ailment that also led to malnourishment. This sign became the first time that diabetes symptoms were ever mentioned.

The way a person’s body converts food into energy is affected by diabetes, a chronic health disease. When blood glucose levels in the biological system are excessively high, this illness develops. This condition was typically fatal in the past and the Middle Ages. In addition, the pancreas’ hormone insulin facilitates the entry of food-derived glucose to cells for physiological energy usage. When the pancreas cannot or only partially generates insulin, type 1 diabetes develops. The most prevalent is type 2, which often affects adults, and occurs when the body stops producing sufficient insulin or becomes resistant to it². When the body is unable to make any or enough insulin, glucose remains in circulation rather than entering the cells.

Diabetes Effects on Human Anatomy

Diabetes co-occurs with several dangerous illnesses known as comorbidities, which can become severe when the disease is poorly managed. The heart, brain, and kidneys are some major organs that diabetes can harm. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood channels that regulate the heart. Additionally, diabetic patients are particularly prone to have additional heart disease risk factors. Blood flows through the arteries with more power under high blood pressure, which can harm the arterial walls³. Dizziness and shortness of breath are among the conditions that can be brought on by damage to the arterial walls. The heart’s rhythm is also disrupted, causing it to flutter, pound, or begin racing.

Over time, significant arteries that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the brain are harmed by high blood sugar. Additionally, diabetic patients are particularly prone to have additional heart disease risk factors. This condition, known as brain atrophy, can impair memories and judgment and finally result in vascular dementia. A person’s level of independence is reduced by poor brain health, and this premature exclusion from the community increases the burden of care, which has a cascading effect on society. Diabetes-related elevated blood sugar over time can harm kidney blood channels and nephrons, impairing their ability to function as they should⁴. If the kidneys are not working correctly, the blood’s balance of water, minerals, and salts will be off, which can be fatal.

Causes of Diabetes

The two types of diabetes lack a known precise cause. However, sugar accumulates in the bloodstream throughout all circumstances. Depending on the type, there are several factors that contribute to diabetes. When the immune system of the body targets and kills the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin, type 1 diabetes develops. Before any symptoms or indicators materialize, this process may continue for several months. In addition, scientists believe that environmental elements like viruses may contribute to type 1 diabetes by acting as a trigger⁵. Specific individuals are more susceptible to acquiring type 1 diabetes due to genes passed down from parent to offspring. Diabetes type 1 is not brought on by diet or lifestyle choices.

The most prevalent type of diabetes is type 2, brought on by some genetic and lifestyle conditions. People who are not physically active, overweight, or obese are more prone to acquire type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance occasionally results from excess weight and is widespread in type 2 diabetics. African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics are more likely to contract the disease, which appears to spread in families⁶. Genes can also make a person more likely to be overweight or obese, which increases the chance of type 2 diabetes.

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes symptoms might be so subtle that a person may not recognize them. The kidneys attempt to eliminate the extra glucose by filtering it out from the system because the blood sugar concentrations are high. Excessive urination, extreme thirst, and recurrent hunger are among the early indications and symptoms of the illness brought on by excess filtration. Fatigue is another symptom that results from low sugar entering the body’s cells from the bloodstream⁷. Blood sugar levels that are too high can harm the small blood channels in the eyeballs, resulting in blurry vision. Diabetes causes impairment to the body’s blood vessels and nerves and slows wound healing.

Diagnosis of Diabetes

Physicians can use blood samples to identify prediabetes, diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Blood testing can determine whether a person’s blood sugar concentration is outside of what is considered healthy. Blood tests can also choose the type of diabetes an individual has. The fasting blood glucose testing involves taking a blood sample when the patient has not consumed anything the previous evening⁸. Fasting blood sugar levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL are considered prediabetes, while anything less than 100 mg/dL is deemed normal. The patient is identified as having diabetes if their blood sugar levels are 126 mg/dL or greater on two different tests.

Complications of Diabetes

Although diabetes can cause other health issues, there are various strategies for people to stop or delay these issues. Diabetes can cause acute problems that can occur at any time and persistent complications that develop over time. Heart attack, stroke, kidney, eye, and sexual difficulties are some of the chronic consequences that, if left unchecked and untreated, can cause catastrophic harm. Moreover, the acute complications frequently cause chronic or long-term effects⁹. Additionally, diabetic individuals are more likely to contract specific tumors, and various cancer therapies may worsen their condition and make it extremely difficult to maintain their blood sugar levels.

Diabetes Treatment and Side Effects

Diabetes treatments concentrate on symptom management and the delay or prevention of consequences. Since each person is unique, their treatment will rely on their requirements. Patients with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to manage their disease. Insulin is administered to the patient either orally or intravenously. The most common adverse reactions associated with using insulin include swelling, itching, and redness in the injection area¹⁰. Insulin pumps are an option for diabetes type 2 patients as they provide more versatility in controlling chronic conditions.

For type 2 diabetes, supplements and medications can be used to regulate blood glucose levels. Metformin is the most popular tablet, and like all medications, it may have adverse effects. The most typical negative effects are stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Furthermore, the body breaks down starchy foodstuffs and table glucose with alpha-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, which lowers blood sugar levels¹¹. These inhibitors can cause temporary, dose-dependent gastrointestinal adverse effects, including diarrhea, stomach pain, and flatulence. It is best to let the doctor know if the adverse effects persist in bothering the patient.

Conclusion

In conclusion, diabetes is a physiologic condition that causes difficulties in many different organs and systems. Recent research from the University of Birmingham concentrates on a protein connection on the membrane of fatty tissue that may be able to restore normal insulin sensitivity and control type 2 diabetes. Most diabetes cases can be avoided by managing weight, increasing exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and quitting smoking. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is essential to stay knowledgeable about diabetes.

References

Chaturvedi, R., Desai, C., Patel, P., Shah, A., & Dikshit, R. K. (2018). An evaluation of the impact of antidiabetic medication on treatment satisfaction and quality life in patients of diabetes mellitus. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 9(1), 15-22.

Cole, J. B., & Florez, J. C. (2020). Genetics of diabetes mellitus and diabetes complications. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 16(3), 377-390.

Johns, E. C., Denison, F. C., Norman, J. E., & Reynolds, R. M. (2018). Gestational diabetes mellitus: Mechanisms, treatment, and complications. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 29(11), 743-754.

McIntyre, H. D., Catalano, P., Zhang, C., Desoye, G., Mathiesen, E. R., & Damm, P. (2019). Gestational diabetes mellitus. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 5(47), 142-155.

Petersmann, A., Muller-Wieland, D., Muller, U. A., Landgraf, R., Nauck, M., Freckmann, G., Heinemann, L., & Schleicher, E. (2019). Definition, classification and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 127(1), 1-7. DOI: 10.1055/a-1018-9078

Tattersall, R. B. (2017). The history of diabetes mellitus. Willey Press.

Footnotes

1. B. Robert Tattersall, 2017, The history of diabetes mellitus, Willey Press.
2. Richa Chaturvedi, et al., 2018, An evaluation of the impact of antidiabetic medication on treatment satisfaction and quality life in patients of diabetes mellitus, Perspectives in Clinical Research, 9(1), 15-22.
3. Astrid Petersmann, et al., 2019, Definition, classification and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 127(1), 1-7. DOI: 10.1055/a-1018-9078
4. Astrid Petersmann, et al., 2019, Definition, classification and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
5. Richa Chaturvedi, et al., 2018, An evaluation of the impact of antidiabetic medication on treatment satisfaction and quality life in patients of diabetes mellitus, Perspectives in Clinical Research, 9(1), 15-22. Web.
6. Astrid Petersmann, et al., 2019.
7. Astrid Petersmann, et al.
8. H. David McIntyre, et al., 2019, Gestational diabetes mellitus. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 5(47), 142-155. Web.
9. Joanne B. Cole and Jose C. Florez, 2020, Genetics of diabetes mellitus and diabetes complications, Nature Reviews Nephrology, 16(3), 377-390. Web.
10. Emma C. Johns, et al., 2018, Gestational diabetes mellitus: Mechanisms, treatment, and complications, Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 29(11), 743-754. Web.
11. Emma C. Johns, et al., 2018, Gestational diabetes mellitus: Mechanisms, treatment, and complications.