Diabetes Mellitus: Why is diabetes mellitus sometimes called "starvation in the midst of plenty"

Why is diabetes mellitus sometimes called "starvation in the midst of plenty"?
Thank you so much in advance!
Diabetes - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :

1 :
Because the blood is loaded with glucose, the fuel that runs the body; but it cannot get out of the bloodstream to feed the cells, due to lack of insulin. The body cannot access the abundant fuel in the blood.
2 :
it is a mistaken Identity of the nature of the disease --- what is not present is to be replaced by way of insulin ---even for plenty you said it is not that hard to live with this --under controll
3 :
Probably because a person with undiagnosed diabetes could eat and eat and eat, but would keep losing weight. Once the condition is identified and treated this should stop.
4 :
The simplest sugar, Glucose, is used as fuel for your body. You NEED some glucose in your blood to fuel the cells of your body, especially the muscles. Without fuel, the cells will fail to function and eventually die. In order for the glucose in the blood to pass from the blood into the cells, a hormone called INSULIN is needed. Insulin is a CATALYST -- it help move the sugar from the blood into the cells. The purpose of digestion is to break down the food we eat into glucose, water, vitamins and minerals, and carbon dioxide. The process of digestion puts glucose into the blood. When a person is diabetic, one of two things happens: 1) The body does not produce enough insulin. 2) The body cannot use the insulin it produces. In either case, the result is the same -- the glucose builds up in the blood, but never passes into the cells. The cells, not being able to get the glucose they need, give off chemical signals saying "WE'RE HUNGRY!" Even though there is plenty of glucose (even too much) in the blood stream, the celsl think they are starving! So diabetics are often very hungry -- but eating does not good. The cells don't get their glucose, and continue to send out the "starving" signals. What is worse, the amount of glucose in the blood goes high and higher. This does all kinds of damage to the internal organs, eyes, brains, and nerves. It damages the kidneys, which makes the blood pressure go up, which causes heart attacks and strokes. Since the cells don't get the fuel they need, healing is much slower than normal. Infections often set in, and it is not uncommon for gangrene to result, causing amputation of fingers, toes, hand, feet, and legs. If the diabetes is left uncontrolled, the body will go into "starvation mode". The body will actually start to digest itself! But in starvation mode, the body actually starts to digest muscles. This produces a great deal of toxins in the system called KETONES. Too many ketones in the blood (called KETOSIS) will raise the blood acidity level, causing KETOACIDOSIS. If the patient continues untreated, ketoacidosis is fatal. The patient goes into a coma, and the acidic blood levels eventually cause a heart attack and/or irreversible kidney failure. Many patients (like myself) who have had an attack of ketoacidosis find that their internal organs, especially the kidneys, are permanently damaged. Damaged kidneys will eventually require dialysis or (if you are lucky) a transplant.
5 :
Insulin acts like the key in a door. If insulin is not being made as in the case of a type I diabetic or can't be used as in a Type II. the key (insulin) can not open the door to the cells so that sugar can be utilized. The glucose just builds and builds in the body but since it can't enter the cells it just cases damage to the eyes, nerves and kidneys. The body recieves the message from the cells which scream "HUNGER" but despite the fact that more and more may be ingested the body starves.

Read more discussions :

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Why is diabetes mellitus sometimes called "starvation in the midst of plenty"