Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
Alternative names:
type II diabetes mellitus; diabetes mellitus
Definition:
A chronic disease that
results when the body is resistant to insulin, a hormone released
by the pancreas in response to increased levels of sugar (glucose)
in the blood.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Diabetes mellitus, a
life-long disease for which there is not yet a cure, is related
to problems with insulin secretion. Insulin is necessary for
glucose to go from the blood to the inside of the cells. Unless
the glucose gets into the cells, the body cannot use if for
energy. The excess glucose remains in the blood, and is then
removed by the kidneys. Symptoms of excessive thirst, frequent
urination, hunger, fatigue, and weight loss develop. There
are several types of diabetes: type I diabetes, which requires
total insulin replacement in order to live; type II diabetes,
which is related to insulin resistance, obesity, high cholesterol,
and high blood pressure; and gestational diabetes mellitus,
which occurs during pregnancy. Diabetes
affects up to 6% of the population in the U.S. and type II
diabetes accounts for 90% of all cases. A main component of
type II diabetes is insulin resistance at the level of the
fat and muscle cell.
This means the insulin produced by the pancreas cannot connect
with the cell to let the glucose from the blood into the cell
for energy. This causes hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).
To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin. The cells
sense this flood of insulin and become more resistant, resulting
in high glucose levels and often times high insulin levels.
A person with type II diabetes often does not require insulin
injections. The primary treatment is exercise and diet. Type
II diabetes usually occurs gradually. Some 75% to 80% of people
with type II diabetes are obese
at the time of diagnosis. The disease can also develop in
lean people, especially the elderly. Genetics play a large
role in type II diabetes and family history is a risk factor.
However, environmental factors such as a low activity level
and poor diet can increase a person's risk for type II diabetes.
Other risk factors are as follows: obesity; race/ethnicity
(African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans,
Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders); age greater than 45 years;
previously identified impaired glucose tolerance; hypertension
(high blood pressure); HDL cholesterol of less than 35 and/or
triglyceride level of greater than 250; history of gestational
diabetes mellitus or babies over nine pounds. The incidence
is increased among Native Americans, African-Americans, and
Hispanics.
Update Date: 10/08/99
Updated by: adam.com editorial
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