Diabetes mellitus is a combination of two Greek words: diabaínein means "passing through," and is a reference to the excessive urination common to diabetics. Mellitus means "honey," in reference to the sweetness of the blood and urine of diabetics.
In diabetes, the lack of the protein hormone insulin leads to a build up of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This condition of excessive blood sugar is called hyperglycemia.
When this happens, patients may experience glycosuria; they release glucose dissolved in water in their urine. Patients urinate more frequently (polyuria) so more glucose can be removed. In addition to increased urination, symptoms of this condition are thirst and excessive drinking (polydypsia), due to the endocrine system's response to water lost. If the patient drinks more fluid, more sugar will be lost
For people with kidney (renal) failure, dialysis via ultrafiltration is the process, where waste product molecules (urea), undesired ions, and excess glucose can be removed from the bloodstream. Other proteins and blood cells remain in the blood stream, as they are too large to pass through the openings in the membrane. (5)
Kidneys are organs located near the middle of your back, and are about the size of your fist. Kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood per day and remove about two quarts of waste dissolved in water. In the specialized filtration system of the kidney (nephrons), waste passes from the bloodstream, through the nephron, and into the tubules that lead ultimately to the bladder.
Nearly half of the new renal failure cases in the United States are a result of diabetes.
Osmotic diuresis (excessive urination) is a result of too much sugar being filtered, and not being able to be reabsorbed by the tubules of the kidney. Diabetic nephropathy is the destruction of the nephrons of the kidney by excessive sugar in the blood.
The ideal blood sugar level is 80-120 mg/dl. Values above 200 mg/dl are dangerous, lead to polyuria and polydypsia, dehydration, and indicate a situation that requires medical attention.
Diabetics also frequently lose weight. As they are not properly obtaining energy from the food they consume, the body uses other sources of energy in the body, such as stored proteins and lipids.
Due to the stresses on the human body outlined above, diabetes is a disease that causes weakness, fatigue, and decreased alertness. Additionally, not having insulin leads to breakdown of entire endocrine system. It is striking to realize that the loss of one compound can cause a disruption to a vital system.