What are the cardinal symptoms of diabetes meelitus and provide rationale for occurrence each symptom?

Cardinal Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

1. Polyuria (increased urine output): When the blood glucose level is high, the kidneys try to eliminate the excess glucose by filtering it into the urine. This leads to increased urine production, which can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

2. Polydipsia (increased thirst): The increased urine output can lead to dehydration and a dry mouth, which stimulates the thirst center in the brain. This can lead to excessive thirst.

3. Polyphagia (increased hunger): Insulin is necessary for the uptake of glucose into cells. In diabetes mellitus, the lack of insulin or the resistance of cells to insulin leads to decreased glucose uptake by cells. This can cause increased hunger as the body tries to make up for the lack of energy from glucose.

4. Weight loss: Despite the increased food intake, people with diabetes mellitus may experience weight loss due to the inability to use glucose as an energy source. The body instead breaks down fat and muscle tissue for energy, leading to weight loss.

5. Fatigue: The decreased glucose uptake by cells can lead to fatigue and weakness as the body is unable to produce enough energy.

6. Blurred vision: High blood sugar levels can cause fluid to accumulate in the lens of the eye, which can lead to blurred vision.

7. Slow healing sores: Diabetes mellitus can damage blood vessels and nerves, which can lead to poor circulation and decreased sensation. This can make it more difficult for wounds to heal.

8. Frequent infections: Diabetes mellitus can weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections.

Rationale for the Occurrence of Each Symptoms:

- Polyuria: The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine. When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys work harder to filter the excess glucose, leading to increased urine production (polyuria).

- Polydipsia: The increased urine output can cause dehydration, leading to increased thirst (polydipsia) as the body attempts to replace the lost fluids.

- Polyphagia: Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy. In diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the body's cells do not respond to insulin properly (insulin resistance). This leads to decreased glucose uptake by cells, resulting in increased hunger (polyphagia) as the body tries to compensate for the lack of energy.

- Weight Loss: Despite increased food intake, people with diabetes may experience weight loss due to the body's inability to effectively use glucose for energy. Instead, the body breaks down fat and muscle tissue to meet its energy needs, resulting in weight loss.

- Fatigue: The decreased glucose uptake by cells can lead to fatigue and weakness (lethargy) as the body is unable to produce sufficient energy for its normal functions.

- Blurred Vision: High blood sugar levels can cause fluid to accumulate in the lens of the eye, which changes its shape and affects its ability to focus light properly, resulting in blurred vision.

- Slow Healing Sores: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and nerves, leading to poor circulation and decreased sensation (diabetic neuropathy). This impairs the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues, affecting the healing process and making wounds more susceptible to infection.

- Frequent Infections: Diabetes impairs the immune system's ability to fight off infections, increasing the risk of developing various infections, such as skin, urinary tract, and respiratory infections.