Chapter 14: Common Conditions Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by the body’s inability to make insulin, insufficient insulin production, or the inability to properly use insulin Due to unavailability of insulin, the body’s glucose (blood sugar) is unavailable for use and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) results

Diabetes Mellitus When sugar is not available for energy, fat must be used Fat as an energy source without glucose causes an excess of chemicals called ketone bodies to build up in the body Ketone bodies increase the acid level of the blood, leading to many physical problems, including ketoacidosis and death

Type I Diabetes Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs most frequently in children and young adults In type I diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce any insulin because of autoimmune damage People with type I diabetes must give themselves injections of insulin and monitor their blood sugar levels daily

Type II Diabetes Type II diabetes is the most common and is found primarily in people over 40 years old Type II diabetes is strongly linked to heredity and obesity People with type II diabetes frequently can control their condition with diet, exercise, and weight management

Arthritis Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints There are over 100 varieties of arthritis, but the most common is osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a degenerative bone disease related to aging Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that often causes disability

Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a chronic disease in which the mineral content of the bones progressively decreases so that bones become brittle and easily broken Postmenopausal women comprise 80% of Americans who have osteoporosis Adequate calcium, vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss

Asthma Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by attacks of wheezing and difficulty breathing Asthma can develop at any age Intrinsic asthma is caused by stress or frequent respiratory tract infections Extrinsic asthma is the most common and is caused by hypersensitivity to allergens

Common Cold and Influenza More than 200 different rhinoviruses can cause the common cold Antibiotics do not cure colds Influenza is caused by three viruses that have the ability to mutate Vaccines for particular flu viruses can prevent that type of flu; contact with a virus not in the vaccine can still cause the flu

Headaches Tension headaches are the most common type and are caused by anxiety, stress, and allergies Migraines are throbbing pains often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and can last for days Cluster headaches cause a widening, knifelike pain behind the eye

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBD is a variety of diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune condition that causes erosion of the inner and middle layers of the intestinal tract wall Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon lining