Diabetes Overview

Diabetes Overview

1. Types of Diabetes

1.1. Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin-Dependent Diabetes, Juvenile Diabetes)

• Insulin deficiency leads to ketoacidosis.

• Invariably fatal before insulin discovery.

• Therapeutic focus on:

  • Treating and preventing diabetic ketoacidosis.

  • Preventing long-term vascular complications.

1.2. Type 2 Diabetes (Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes, Adult-Onset Diabetes)

• Insulin resistance with a relative lack of insulin leads to hyperglycemia.

• Symptoms include (P-UD-B):

  • Polyuria (excessive urination)

  • Polydipsia (excessive thirst)

  • Blurred vision

• Major risk factor for atheromatous disease.

2. Prevalence

• Increasing in affluent and developing countries.

• Represents a major public health challenge.

3. Risk Factors

• Importance of addressing risk factors distinct from blood glucose, especially hypertension.

4. Focus of Chapter

• Types of insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents.