Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Pretest
• Concept Mapping
• Reading Text & Presentation
  • 7.1 The human body
  • 7.2 The human heart
  • 7.3 Some common ailments
• Language Focus
• Activities
• Post test
• Resources
• References

Diabetes is often called sugar diabetes, but doctors refer to it as diabetes mellitus. It is actually a group of diseases affecting a person’s metabolism. Generally, the person has high blood sugar or blood glucose. This might be because insulin production is inadequate, because the cells are not responding to insulin, or a combination of the two. Symptoms of those people with high blood sugar might be frequent urination (polyuria), increasing thirst (polydipsia), or increasing hunger (polyphagia).

Diabetes is usually diagnosed under one of three categories: Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 (Gestational).

With Type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin. This is “insulin-dependent diabetes”, and people usually develop it before they are 40 years old. It is thus also referred to as juvenile diabetes, or early-onset diabetes. This type of diabetes requires insulin injections for the rest of the person’s life. He/she will also need to carry out regular blood tests to check blood-glucose levels and follow a special diet.

Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or body cells are not reacting to the insulin (also known as insulin resistance). This kind of diabetes can usually be controlled by weight loss, following a healthy diet with plenty of exercise, and monitoring blood glucose levels. It is typically a progressive disease though, which gradually gets worse. Insulin may eventually have to be taken, perhaps just in tablet form. Those people who are overweight or obese have a much higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The body releases chemicals that can destabilize the body's cardiovascular and metabolic systems when a person is overweight/obese. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is also greater as we get older. Perhaps this is because people put on weight and become less active physically as they age. Research has shown that those who have Type 2 diabetes in family medical history, and people of African, Middle Eastern, or South Asian descent also have a higher risk of developing the disease.

Gestational, Type 3, Diabetes affects females during pregnancy. It occurs when a woman has high levels of glucose in her blood. The body is unable to produce sufficient insulin to break down the glucose, and this causes high levels of glucose. This type can usually be controlled with exercise and diet. Some may need to take blood-glucose-controlling medication, but if uncontrolled the diabetes can raise the risk of complications during childbirth.

Note: The term "Sweet Urine Disease" was used by the ancient Chinese. They had observed that ants were attracted to some people's urine. This was because it was sweet, and is also the root of the term diabetes in the West. The Latin roots of the terms led to diabetes mellitus having a literal translation of ‘siphoning off sweet water’.

7.3.3 Gallstones