Question

Until recently, 6-year-old Billie had no apparent health problems. About 1 week ago, she started to lose weight despite a healthy appetite. She urinated frequently and complained of being tired. Her mom noticed that she was very thirsty and was getting up in the middle of the night to urinate. On examination, her blood sugar was elevated. She was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile-onset) diabetes mellitus.

1. Which homeostatic mechanism is not properly functioning?

2. Explain the physiology of this disease, what's going wrong? Be specific.

3. What can happen if the diabetes is not controlled?

Answer 1

1. The energy homeostasis is not maintained. Energy homeostasis is regulated by co-coordinating feeding behavior and energy expenditure. This homeostasis lead to alteration thereby causing onset of conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Organs that tightly control energy homeostasis including – Pancreas, stomach, intestine, brain, liver etc.
2. In Type 1 diabetes, β-cells in the pancreas are destructed as the β-cells are destructed, the body cannot produce enough insulin to maintain energy homeostasis. It is an auto-immune disease that typically occurs in children and young adults
3. If this diabetes is not controlled, then problems such as kidney failure and heart disease arise. The blood flow becomes poor and the nerves get damaged. Open sores and wounds will not heal easily.