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What Is
Diabetes ?
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Diabetes
mellitus is a disorder of the endocrine system, which is
brought about by a decrease in the production of insulin—a
hormone that is produced in the pancreas—and/or the
inability of body cells to use insulin in the proper way,
which is to combine with glucose (sugars that the body
converts from the food a person consumes) and enter the
cells to give the body the energy it needs to function. An
average human’s blood glucose level is between 80 and 100
milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Seven percent of the
population in the United States is diabetic.1
If the body
cells use glucose too quickly, it requires an increase in
insulin production, which the diabetic body may not be
able to compensate for. The decreased glucose level in the
bloodstream is known as hypoglycemia. This can be caused
by an increase in insulin intake by the patient;
overexertion, which makes the body metabolize glucose
faster than normal; and/or a reduction in food intake.
Reduced glucose in the bloodstream leads to altered levels
of consciousness, and, if left untreated, can lead to a
loss of consciousness, damage to vital organs and even
death, as cells are literally starved of glucose.
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Hypoglycemia is usually the most commonly encountered
diabetic emergency; however, if glucose is administered
quickly, the patient commonly recovers relatively soon.
Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia are usually of sudden
onset and may include altered mentation, perfuse sweating
and abnormal behavior.
Conversely,
without insulin, the body cells cannot use glucose, and it
remains in increasing levels in the bloodstream. This is
known as hyperglycemia. Typically, things like stress,
changes in dietary intake, infections and noncompliance
with insulin intake may lead to hyperglycemia. Unlike
hypoglycemia, signs and symptoms associated with
hyperglycemia often have a more gradual onset, and the
patient will have increased hunger, thirst and increased
urinary output. These patients may have the classic
“fruity breath” sign as well.
Commonly,
diabetics fall into two categories: Type I and Type II.
Type I, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is based
on limited or no ability of the body to produce glucose.
This has also been known as “juvenile diabetes,” as it
commonly begins in children. Type I diabetics must receive
some dose of supplemental insulin on a daily basis.
Type II is
more commonly known as adult-onset diabetes. The body is
able to produce insulin but at decreased levels, and/or
the body cannot properly metabolize insulin. This is most
commonly seen in obese individuals, but is also seen in
the elderly and in obese children. Many Type II diabetics
can manage their diabetes very effectively through special
diet, oral medications or both. However, these are often
the most unstable diabetics, due to noncompliance with
medications or dietary restrictions, or both.
(Ref. :
http://www.emsresponder.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=8067)
Infusion Sets
Insulin pumps deliver insulin to the body by a thin
plastic tube ending in a soft plastic needle called a
cannula, through which the insulin passes into your body.
A small number of people choose to use steel cannulas
rather than plastic ones, but the choice is yours.
Together, this tubing and cannula are called an "infusion
set."
You insert the cannula just under the skin, usually on the
abdomen, thighs or buttocks, using an introducer needle.
If your set has a plastic cannula, you then remove the
introducer needle, leaving only the plastic cannula in
place. Some infusion sets have mechanical devices that
insert the needle automatically, but all can be inserted
by hand. Automatic inserters make it easier for kids and
people with limited dexterity to insert an infusion set,
and can make the process somewhat less intimidating.
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