Diabetes

What is Diabetes? What causes Diabetes?

 

Video showing symptoms of type 2 diabetis

 

Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience frequent urination, they will become increasingly thirsty and hungry .

In 2013 it was estimated that over 382 million people throughout the world had diabetes (Williamstextbook of endocrinology).

 Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes - the body does not produce insulin. Approximately 10% of all diabetes cases are type 1.

Type 2 Diabetes - the body does not produce enough insulin for proper function. Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are of this type.

Gestational Diabetes - this type affects females during pregnancy. 

Symptoms of Diabetes

The most common diabetes symptoms include frequent urination, intense thirst and hunger, weight gain, unusual weight loss, fatigue, cuts and bruises that do not heal, male sexual dysfunction, numbness and tingling in hands and feet. 

Symptoms of Diabetis. Image google images

 Controlling Diabetes

If you have Type 1 and follow a healthy eating plan, do adequate exercise, and take insulin, you can lead a normal life.

Type 2 patients need to eat healthily, be physically active, and test their blood glucose. They may also need to take oral medication, and/or insulin to control blood glucose levels. 

As the risk of cardiovascular disease is much higher for a diabetic, it is crucial that blood pressure and cholesterol levels are monitored regularly 

 

As smoking might have a serious effect on cardiovascular health, diabetics should stop smoking.

A good diet can reduce effects of Diabetes. Image: google images

Some people may be able to control their type 2 diabetes symptoms by losing weight, following a healthy diet, doing plenty of exercise, and monitoring their blood glucose levels. Overweight and obese people have a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a healthy body weight. 

Menwhose testosterone levels are low have been found to have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, say that low testosterone levels are linked to insulin resistance.

Diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made during pregnancy. The majority of gestational diabetes patients can control their diabetes with exercise and diet. Between 10% to 20% of them will need to take some kind of blood-glucose-controlling medications. Undiagnosed or uncontrolled gestational diabetes can raise the risk of complications during childbirth. The baby may be bigger than he/she should be.

 Scientists from the National Institutes of Health and Harvard University found that women whose diets before becomingpregnant were high in animal fat and cholesterol had a higher risk for gestational diabetes, compared to their counterparts whose diets were low in cholesterol and animal fats.  

Complications linked to badly controlled Diabetes

• Eye complications - glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and some others.
• Foot complications - neuropathy, ulcers, and sometimes gangrene which may require that the foot be amputated
• Skin complications - people with diabetes are more susceptible to skin infections and skin disorders
• Heart problems - such as ischemic heart disease, when the blood supply to the heart muscle is diminished
• Hypertension - common in people with diabetes, which can raise the risk of kidney disease, eye problems, heart attack and stroke
• Mental health - uncontrolled diabetes raises the risk of suffering from depression, anxiety and some other mental disorders
• Hearing loss - diabetes patients have a higher risk of developing hearing problems
• Gum disease - there is a much higher prevalence of gum disease among diabetes patients
• Gastroparesis - the muscles of the stomach stop working properly
• Ketoacidosis - a combination of ketosis and acidosis; accumulation of ketone bodies and acidity in the blood.
• Neuropathy - diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage which can lead to several different problems.
• HHNS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome) - blood glucose levels shoot up too high, and there are no ketones present in the blood or urine. It is an emergency condition.
• Nephropathy - uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to kidney disease
• PAD (peripheral arterial disease) - symptoms may include pain in the leg, tingling and sometimes problems walking properly
• Stroke - if blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels are not controlled, the risk of stroke increases significantly
• Erectile dysfunction - male impotence.
• Infections - people with badly controlled diabetes are much more susceptible to infections