The diabetic syndrome.

ANY model of the diabetic syndrome must be dynamic because the homeostatic processes which underlie the diabetic syndrome are themselves dynamic and the diabetic syndrome in this view is the pattern of derangements, some permanent, some reversible, which occur in the body when the homeostatic devices which are continuously attempting to return the levels of blood glucose and other associated metabolites such as ketones to basal values, are overstressed and fail partially or completely. One of the intriguing things about the homeostatic mechanisms controlling blood glucose levels, is the small reserve compared with other comparable biological mechanisms. This may be due to the fact that the genetic basis for the blood glucose homeostatic mechanism was determined during the time when man's diet was high in protein and low in carbohydrates, or at any rate, refined carbohydrates. The two main components of the diabetic syndrome (Crombie 1964) are the biochemical or metabolic on the one hand and the pathological on the other. The biochemical component. This consists of the derangements of blood and tissue chemistry which accompany and follow the hyperglycaemia of glucose intolerance. These include glycosuria, ketosis and other associated biochemical abnormalities and the cardinal signs and symptoms directly related to these biochemical abnormalities, namely: polyuria; pruritus vulvae; balanitis; dry mouth; thirst; loss of weight; lassitude and loss of energy; transient disturbances of vision due to refractive changes; and constipation.