Control of Blood Glucose Concentration - Diabetes Mellitus: Type I & II (GCSE Biology)
Diabetes Mellitus: Type I & II
Diabetes Mellitus
When homeostasis of blood glucose fails, a patient may suffer from a group of conditions called Diabetes Mellitus. In Diabetes Mellitus, the body struggles to reduce the blood glucose level if it rises (e.g. after a meal).
This can lead to high glucose levels in the blood, which is referred to as hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia can lead to many problems, such as eye problems, heart attacks, nerve damage and even life threatening crises. The high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, leading to a wide range of problems related to a reduction in blood flow.
There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1 and Type 2. We will explore each of these below.
Diabetes Mellitus: Type I and II
Glucose Tolerance Test
To diagnose diabetes, a glucose tolerance test is normally done. In this test, the person will be given a glucose drink, which will increase their blood glucose levels. The blood glucose is monitored over several hours. In diabetics, glucose levels take much longer to return back to normal, and also has a higher peak.
Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
Obesity can be a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. You can measure obesity in 2 ways: Body Mass Index and Waist to Hip Ratios:
Body Mass Index (BMI)
You can calculate BMI as a guide to identify if someone is of the correct body weight taking into account of their height by doing:
However, BMI isn’t always reliable as your high mass might be due to high muscle content which isn’t unhealthy. So a high BMI index may not always mean you are unhealthy.
Waist to Hip Ratio
A more reliable measurement is waist to hip ratio:
Having a higher ratio means you’re carrying more mass around the middle of your body which is abdominal obesity. This is what increases your risk of type 2 diabetes and other obesity related problems.
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