Treatments of Diabetes

Type I Diabetes• Description: Also known as juvenile-onset diabetes; occurs

when pancreas is unable to produce insulin due to early degeneration of beta cells in islets of Langerhans

• Cause: Scientists believe that a genetic tendency and environmental factors (such as viral infections) increase the risk

• Early Symptoms: Increased thirst and dry mouth Weight Loss Fatigue• Many are not diagnosed for Type I diabetes until a diagnosis

for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) body burns fat and muscle for glucose, which produces ketones and fatty acids in the body

• Symptoms: Hot, dry skin Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting Fruity breath odor (due to the acetone) Rapid, deep breathing Restlessness and drowsiness

Type I and II Diabetes – Exams and Tests

• First tests done are blood glucose tests:

- Fast blood sugar (FBS) - 2 hour post-prandial

blood sugar - Random blood

sugar• Hemoglobin A1c Test -

monitors blood sugar levels after treatment has begun; it estimates the average blood sugar levels over the previous 2-3 months

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Test – done every 1-2 years to check for thyroid problems by testing the levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine

Type I Diabetes – Treatment Overview• Lifelong treatment to control blood sugar within a target range

• Insulin injections using insulin pens or an insulin pump (small computerized device with a thin tube and needle that is inserted under the skin, usually the abdomen; can be programmed to deliver insulin in regular, small intervals, or carefully planned doses at specific times) is designed to mimic the pancreas

• Monitoring blood sugar levels using a blood sugar meter – a drop of blood is placed on a blood sugar test strip and is inserted into the meter for a reading

• Most importantly is maintaining a health diet (one that spreads out carbohydrates throughout the day) and regularly exercising and going to regular checkups

Also, blood sugar levels are easier to predict and control when mealtimes, amounts of food, and exercise are similar everyday

Type II Diabetes• Description: Also known as adult-onset diabetes (the

most common type of diabetes); when insulin is produced, but is either not enough for the body does not recognize the insulin and use it properly

• Cause: Higher risk when overweight, has family history of diabetes, has high cholesterol or high blood pressure

• Symptoms: Increased Thirst Fatigue Dry, itchy skin Blurred Sight Numbness in hands and feet May cause hardening of arteries,

increasing chance of heart attack and stroke.

Type II Diabetes – Treatment Overview

• May also require insulin injections• Mainly controlled by diet and exercise and oral medications,

which are taken by the mouth in the form of tablets, always around mealtimes

• There are several types of oral diabetes medications called oral hypoglycemics

*sulfonylureas – stimulates pancreas by releasing more of its stored insulin and increases effectiveness of insulin in the body

*biguanides – improves insulin sensitivity and reduces liver production of glucose

*acarbose – prolongs absorption of carbohydrates after a meal; must be taken right after or with a meal

*thiazolidinediones – also improves insulin sensitivity *meglitinides – lowers after-meal glucose levels by

stimulating pancreas to release more insulin

Hormone Therapy• Used to treat various cancers;

examples include breast and prostate

• Chemical castration: considered a form of hormone therapy

• Drug hormone treatments available:– Aromatase inhibitors block the

synthesis of estrogen (required in the growth of cancerous cells in the breast/ovaries)

-Tamoxifen: works by blocking the effect of body's natural estrogen in the breast(s).

Growth Deficiencies-GH can be produced from DNA recombinant

technology, whereas before it was extracted from the pituitary glands of humans.

-Common treatment to growth deficient children who are not yet finished developing/growing as it is likely most effective at this stage.

-Also includes adult usage:• -Benefits include increased body mass,

increased strength, progress in motor development, and reduction of body fat. Supposedly, risks to using GH increased with age.

Growth Hormone- Alternate Uses

-GH has been given to burn victims. The GH has been said to reduce the amount of protein breakdown.

-Reverse aging effects possible: users experienced increased strength and slower degeneration of bone mass.

-Controversial use in athletics.

Risks to GH-Nausea, headache, fluid retention, joint pains, carpal tunnel syndrome. May be linked to some cancers. Side effects supposedly minor and rare.

Intersex Conditions -Klinefelter's syndrome (XXY)

-Turner syndrome (“missing X

chromosome”)

Melanin-Melanin is a skin pigment (colors hair, the iris of the eye and the skin) -In the skin, it helps to protect DNA in skin cells from dangerous UV radiation that is found in the sun's light -Melanomas (malignant tumor of melanocytes)

-Melanogensis is the process where more melanin is produced in response to DNA damages that are caused by radiation from the sun.

-Negative feedback system

-Ozone: molecule in the atmosphere which helps to protect the surface of the Earth by preventing UV radiation from reaching the surface and hurting organisms

Electrochemical Control Systems (Organisms) vs. Emission Control Systems (Technology)

• To maintain equilibrium between internal and external environment of the organism Homeostasis

• Endocrine and Nervous System

• Sensory receptors and neurons supply the CNS with info (through signals) about external environment and quality of internal environment

• Inter-neurons relay signal to the brain, where signal is processed brain sends signal to motor neurons which stimulate effectors

Need to control car emissions resulted in the computerization of vehicles Called Feedback Fuel Control systems Oxygen sensor installed in exhaust system measures fuel content of the

exhaust stream Oxygen sensor would then send signal to microprocessor analyzes the reading

and stimulates fuel/air mixture device to create proper fuel/air ratio

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Hormone therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormone_therapy

Melanin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanin

Ozone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone

Skin cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_cancer

Type 1 Diabetes-Treatment Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13, 2009, from http://diabetes.webmd.com/tc/type-1-diabetes-treatment-overview

Type 2 Diabetes - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis - Weight Management - Body & Health. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2009, from http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_condition_info_details.asp?channel_id=1055&relation_id=17519&disease_id=214&page_no=2

Type 2 Diabetes - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis - Weight Management - Body & Health. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2009, from http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=214&channel_id=1055&relation_id=17519

Type 2 Diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2009, from http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/hw135189/sec9.htm

What is Melanin?. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-melanin.htm