THE KIDNEY MALFUNCTION

Just as the kidneys lose their ability to discharge wastes, they also lose their ability to
retain protein and sugar. Sugar and protein are detected in urine tests often in large
amounts.Blood tests detect high levels of urea, nitrogen and creatining which indicate damaged kidneys.

DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS

High Blood Sugar
High blood sugar levels over a period of time can lead to major health problems.

* Blood vessels can get affected, leading to heart attack, stroke and circulatory .
problems
* Frequent urinary infection is due to the presence of high sugar ( not well controlled)
which results in the damage of the kidneys.
* Kidney disease (nephropathy) may result, which often leads to end-stage renal
disease and kidney failure.

Studies show that if there is even 1% reduction in HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin)
in diabetics then :

* The risk of microvascular complications ( e.g- in kidney,eye ) is reduced by 37%.
* The risk offatal and non-fatal heart attack is also reduced by 14%.

DIABETES MELLITUS AND LDL OXIDATION

In diabetes mellitus, LDL is glycosylated by the process of glycosylation, i.e.attachment
of sugar to LDL-C.This modified LDL-C makes it stick to the arteries,thus enhancing the
process of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

SECONDARY DIABETES
It can occur due to a number of causes:
* Hormonal abnormalities.
* Insulin receptor disorders
* Pancreatic disease
* Drug induced diabetes
* Corticosteroid administration
* Genetic syndrome.

DIABETES MELLITUS AND OBESITY

Overweight and obese people keep producing the hormone insulin,but it cannot
act appropriately.An obese person having a high carbohydrate intake puts a strain on the body's glucose metabolism.Also, obesity reduces the insulin receptors on the surface of the cells. As the uptake of insulin is less by fewer
receptors, the body's sensitivity to the insulin is reduced.

Cells (mainly fat or muscle ) requiring glucose, cannot get it from the blood.There is a famine in the midst of plenty, resulting in diabetes.

In response to the high blood sugar present , the pancreas works more to produce more insulin.Eventually, this constant pumping of the pancreas
exhausts the pancreatic beta cells.Insulin secretion from the pancreas starts becoming inadequate and overweight people become diabetic

* A woman delivering a baby weighing over 9 lbs ( approx. 4 kg) has a tendency to develop type 11 diabetes.
* If a person's blood sugar levels are regularly above normal , then heor she is becoming a prediabetec and will probably become a diabetic within 10 years.
* Continuous stress is today known to be a predisposing factor for developing diabetes
mellitus.
* A family history of Type 11 diabetes (particularly in a first-degree relative) in presence
of other risk factors can precipitate the development of diabetes.
* Ethnic groups (Asians or Afro-Caribbean) are more prune to develop diabetes.
* Previous history of gestational diabetes or previous diagnosis of impaired glucose
tolerance, can both lead to the development of diabetes mellitus.

RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING TYPING 11 DIABETES

* A person having a parent or sibling with type 11 diabetes.
* If a person is overweight or has high blood pressure, he or she is at a greater risk of
developing diabetes.
* A person having high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides is at a greater risk of
developing diabetes.With diabetes and abnormal fat levels, a person increases up
to four times in comparison with the general population.
* A person having a sedentary lifestyle has greater chances of developing diabetes.
This risk can be reduced by exercising regularly.