Therefore, I won’t go into the formalities and minutia of how to diagnose, treat, and monitor diabetes in this discussion. I will provide more pathophysiologic information when I discuss the individual types of diabetes and the respective FAA certification programs more specifically in future submissions. Google “mellitus” for the amusing reference of how that word became part of the lore of diabetes centuries ago. Terms familiar to most people include adult-onset, type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. In other cases, the bodily tissues have become resistant to the insulin that the pancreas is dutifully producing (obesity is a common cause of insulin resistance). You might also see the term insulin-treated diabetes ( ITDM) in various publications, and for the purposes of FAA medical certification, IDDM and ITDM can be used synonymously. The relevant premise here is that the body has stopped producing sufficient insulin to regulate blood glucose, regardless of the person’s age. Don’t let the term “juvenile” confuse the situation, as there are times when insulin dependence might not occur until well into adulthood. Common names include juvenile, type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes ( IDDM). In certain cases of diabetes, the production of insulin is significantly decreased or completely absent. When blood glucose rises, the pancreas secretes insulin, permitting the bodily tissues to store and use glucose for various metabolic functions. Insulin is a hormone that is released by the pancreas in response to blood glucose levels. Without going into an elaborate explanation of its physiology, let’s break diabetes down into two categories: non-insulin-dependent and insulin-dependent. And a recently implemented program with the support of the Federal Air Surgeon will now enable even more diabetics to return to commercial flying. Private pilots with well-controlled diabetes have been flying for many years. Long-term complications include damage to “end organs,” such as eyes, kidneys, heart, and the neurological system.įurther, this is a condition that would render an existing medical certificate invalid from the moment the pilot knew of the diagnosis, regardless of any theoretical period of validity that might appear to remain for that certificate.Īre all pilots with diabetes grounded indefinitely? Is there any hope for a pilot with diabetes to fly again? What about commercially? Sudden adverse changes in blood glucose (high or low) can lead to altered mental status, to seizures, and even death. Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that involves impaired glucose metabolism.
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