An overview of diabetes mellitus : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), this disease afflicts more than 10 million persons in the United States alone. During the coming year, it is estimated that another 750,000 people will be diagnosed with this disease. Since 1932, Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has ranked among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States. Given these statistics, it would only be wise to examine ways in which we can control and even prevent the onset of this debilitating disease.The medical community and some of the general public know that this disease can be controlled with medication and diet. Besides this, research has shown repeatedly that regular physical exercise can improve the health and disease status of diabetics, along with preventing the onset of the disease in others. (Porte & Rifkin, 1990) In order to use this information to our benefit, we must make more of the public aware of this disease and the magnitude of it.I have examined this disease not only in the textbooks I have read but in real life situations. I have witnessed the effects of years of misunderstanding on the patient level. Yet, I have, also, seen the effects of proper medical treatment, education and regular aerobic exercise on the disease process. In an attempt to increase the awareness and knowledge that the general population has of this disease and the effects of regular aerobic exercise, I have decided to write the following paper on diabetes mellitus.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?.