摘要：Diabetes is by far, the most common of all endocrine disorders and its incidence is increasing especially in developing countries. Diabetes is divided into two major categories namely, Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or Type I diabetes and Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or Type II diabetes. Both are abnormalities in insulin production or utilization that leads to chronically high blood glucose levels. There are however, differences in the etiology, pathology and treatment of the two types. IDDM is caused by a combination of genetic and immunological processes that ultimately destroy the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin. The resulting insulin deficiency leads to the accumulation of glucose in the blood. Uncorrected, it can lead to ketoacidosis and coma. IDDM can occur at any age, but it is seen more often during childhood or adolescence. Diabetes mellitus is a serious condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality because of its both short and long term complications. The most frequent short-term complications include hypoglycemia, hyper- glycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis. The most common long-term complications include retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. NIDDM, with a strong heredity com- ponent usually occurs after 40 and may be asymptomatic. It is characterized by a combination of insulin resistance and insulin deficiency. A host of other metabolic abnormali- ties co-exist – obesity, hypertension and disturbed lipid levels in the blood. Management of diabetes, a prime example of a metabolic disease can be controlled and not cured, and it includes exercise, dietary regimen and medications. The regimen involves physical and physiological discipline that significantly influences the patients psyche and lifestyle. Studies on mortality due to diabetes show that the psychological impact of diabetes was good predictor of death, often better than many clinical correlates.
