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Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition where there is a high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood, caused either due to decreased insulin production by the pancreas, or as a result of impaired insulin action, or both. Broadly speaking, diabetes is said to be of two types :
- Type 1 diabetes where the body does not produce insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes where there may be enough insulin but it cannot be utilized adequately.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease. Although it cannot be cured, it should be controlled with proper treatment so as to avoid its many potential complications which may be disabling as well as life-threatening.
What Causes Diabetes Mellitus?
Carbohydrates and sugars that are ingested as food are digested and broken down to a simple sugar known as glucose. This glucose circulates in the blood, from where it is taken up by the cells and produce energy for the body. Movement of glucose into the cells is helped by insulin – a hormone produced by the pancreas. The amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas is adjusted according to the blood glucose level. When a person suffers from diabetes, this process is impaired, so that the blood sugar level becomes high.
What are the Different Types of Diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), or juvenile onset diabetes mellitus usually starts at an early age and an autoimmune factor may be involved. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough or any insulin at all. Frequent insulin injections are necessary since insulin replacement is the only method of treatment.
Type 2 Diabetes
In Type 2 diabetes, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or adult onset diabetes mellitus the pancreas may be producing adequate insulin but it cannot be utilized effectively by the cells. This type of diabetes normally starts at a later age but may occur in children and may be treated by lifestyle changes such as weight loss, diet and exercise, oral medication and insulin.
Gestational Diabetes
A woman may develop high blood sugar during pregnancy, which comes back to normal once the baby is delivered. Such women may go on to have diabetes later in life.
Pre-Diabetes
This is a condition where there is increased blood sugar level but it is not high enough to be called diabetes. Pre-diabetes may progress to diabetes later on unless taken care of at this stage by means of diet and exercise. It is also known as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
Some people, especially with Type 2 diabetes, may have no symptoms. When symptoms are present, it usually develops gradually.
- Increased urine output, especially at night.
- Increased thirst.
- Weight loss in spite of increased appetite.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Blurred vision.
How is Diabetes Diagnosed?
- Blood sugar testing – fasting glucose level 126 mg/dL or more.
- Random glucose level more than 200 mg/dL.
- Oral glucose tolerance test – glucose level higher than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours.
What are the Complications of Diabetes?
- Hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood sugar level) – usually due to taking glucose-lowering drugs or insulin without timely meals.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis – a potentially life-threatening complication due to abnormally high blood glucose level.
- Eye – cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment (diabetic retimopathy).
- Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy).
- Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy).
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Peripheral vascular disease.
- Frequent infections.
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