DIABETES

DIABETES:

We can simply say diabetes is a rise in blood glucose or blood sugar in the blood, which is a chronic metabolic disorder.  There is a lack of insulin secretion or resistance of insulin in promoting sugar, starch and fat metabolism in the cells due to the insufficiency of pancreas.

In these days, diabetes is a lifestyle induced disease because of lack of exercise, continuous sitting on the computer, eating excessive food intake, eating junk foods, eating baked foods, eating large amount of ice-creams and drinking carbonated drinks, etc.., all these may lead to diabetes.

In more severe cases, it is happening by chronic hyperglycemia, glycosuria, water and electrolyte loss, and ketoacidosis.

Long-term complications include neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, generalized degenerative changes in large and small blood vessels, and increased susceptibility to infection.

TYPES OF DIABETES:

Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes.

Prediabetes.

DIABETES TYPE 1/DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 1:

This usually occurs before the age of 30, appearing in a child or adolescent.  There is an abrupt rapid onset of little or no insulin production, thin or normal body weight.  The severe deficiency of  insulin secretion resulting from the atrophy of the islets of Langerhans and causing hyperglycemia.   Ketoacidosis often occurs.

Type 1 diabetes

In this case, continuous insulin therapy is required for long term survival.  Medical diagnosis is necessary.

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES TYPE 1:

Polyurea (excessive excretion of urine resulting in profuse and frequent micturition).

Polydipsia (excessive thirst that is relatively prolonged).

Polyphagia (excessive eating or hunger).

Dry mouth.

Weakness.

Visual impairement.

Weight loss.

Diabetic foot.

TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 1:

Insulin.

DIABETES TYPE 2 /DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2:

This usually occurs after the age of 30; gradual onset, asymptomatic, around 85% obese, and also caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors and usually characterized by inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin.   Ketoacidosis seldom occurs.  Medical diagnosis is necessary.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance in peripheral tissues as well as a defect in insulin secretion by beta cells.  Insulin regulates carbohydrate metabolism by mediating the rapid transport of glucose and amino acids from the circulation into muscle and other tissue cells by promoting the storage of glucose in liver cells as glycogen and by inhibiting gluconeogenesis.  The normal stimulus for the release of insulin from the pancreas is a rise in the concentration of glucose in circulating blood, which typically occurs within a few minutes after the meal.  When such a rise elicits an appropriate insulin response, so that the blood level of glucose falls again as it is taken into cells, glucose tolerance is said to be normal. The central fact in diabetes mellitus is an impairment of glucose tolerance of such a degree as to threaten or impair health.

Diabetes mellitus is often associated with other risk factors, including disorders of lipid metabolism, obesity, hypertension, and impairment of renal function.

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES TYPE 2:

Polyurea (excessive excretion of urine resulting in profuse and frequent micturition) sometimes seen.

Polydipsia sometimes seen (excessive thirst that is relatively prolonged).

Polyphagia sometimes seen (excessive eating or excessive hunger).

Inflammation of the glans penis, itching, irritation seen.

Dry mouth.

Weight loss.

Visual impairment.

Weakness.

Slow healing of wounds.

Numbness and paresthesia of the legs.

Frequent skin infection.

TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 2:

Current recommendations for the management of diabetes mellitus type 2 emphasize education and individualization of therapy, maintain glucose levels as near to normal as possible at all times and reduce the incidence of long-term complications, particularly microvascular complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy.

Lifestyle modification, diet, exercise, oral hypoglycemics, continuous monitoring of blood glucose, and insulin.

Generally lifestyle modification, exercise, and change in eating habits help to control diabetes very largely.  Limiting the intake of carbohydrate, gluten, starch containing foods and reducing fat, eating more vegetables and leafy vegetables also help to control diabetes.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES:

There is high blood sugar in pregnant women. This usually occurs in 3-6% of all pregnancies, although it typically resolves after the delivery, sometimes a few percentage of women with this disorder eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

TREATMENT:

Gestational diabetes can usually be managed by diet alone, but insulin is sometimes required.  Medical diagnosis is needed.

PREDIABETES:

It is a state of potential diabetes mellitus, with normal glucose tolerance, but with an increased risk of developing diabetes due to the family history. 

Medical advice is required.