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History of Diabetes
By peace | November 16, 2007
Diabetes is one of the oldest known human diseases. Its full name is diabetes mellitus which comes from the Greek words for syphon and sugar and describes the most obvious symptom of uncontrolled diabetes — the passing of large amounts of urine that is sweet because it contains sugar (glucose). There are descriptions of the symptoms by the ancient Persians, Indians, and Egyptians, but a proper understanding of the condition has only developed over the last hundred years or so.
In the later part of the 19th century, two German doctors worked out that the pancreas — a large gland behind the stomach — must be producing some substance that stopped the level of blood glucose rising. In 1921, three Canadian scientists isolated the mystery substance, which they named insulin, from small groups of cells within the pancreas, called the islets of Langerhans. When insulin became available as a treatment for diabetes after 1922, it was seen as medical miracle, transforming the future prospects of sufferers and saving the lives of many young people who would otherwise have died after a painful wasting illness.
Until the early part of the 20th century, when insulin and its effect on the body were first identified, there was no treatment for the disease and people with the condition eventually died. Some 30 years later, it was found that one form of diabetes could be treated with tablets to lower levels of blood glucose. This new development led doctors to distinguish between two forms of the condition:
1. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(IDDM) also called Type I, this type of diabetes starts most commonly in younger patients, who have to have regular injections of insulin to remain well.
2. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM) also called Type II, age-related or maturity onset, this form of diabetes is more common in middle or later life, and can be controlled by tablets or just by diet.
In Europe during medieval times, physicians diagnosed diabetes by tasting the urine of the afflicted patient. If the urine was sweet, the physicians confirmed the diagnosis. Unfortunately, these physicians could not effectively treat the disease.
A diagnosis of diabetes does not mean having to give up everything you enjoy — even sports. Most people can lead a normal, active life.
