Overview on diabetes
Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which
there are high blood sugar levels
over a prolonged period. Diabetes is associated with high blood sugar, frequent
urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes
can cause many complications including coma or death. Serious long-term
complications include heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney failure, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not
producing enough insulin or the
cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced.
there are high blood sugar levels
over a prolonged period. Diabetes is associated with high blood sugar, frequent
urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes
can cause many complications including coma or death. Serious long-term
complications include heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney failure, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not
producing enough insulin or the
cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced.
Types of diabetes
Diabetes
mellitus is classified into four broad categories: type 1, type 2, gestational
diabetes, and “other specific types”. The
“other specific types” are a collection of other individual causes.
Diabetes is a more variable than once and people may have combinations of
forms.
mellitus is classified into four broad categories: type 1, type 2, gestational
diabetes, and “other specific types”. The
“other specific types” are a collection of other individual causes.
Diabetes is a more variable than once and people may have combinations of
forms.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1
diabetes mellitus is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells
in the pancreas, leading to insulin deficiency. Most affected people are
otherwise healthy and of a healthy weight when onset occurs. Sensitivity and
responsiveness to insulin are usually normal, especially in the early stages.
Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults, but was traditionally
termed “juvenile diabetes” because a majority of these diabetes cases
were in children. Type 1 diabetes can be accompanied by irregular and
unpredictable high blood sugar levels,
frequently with ketosis,
and sometimes with serious low blood sugar levels.
diabetes mellitus is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells
in the pancreas, leading to insulin deficiency. Most affected people are
otherwise healthy and of a healthy weight when onset occurs. Sensitivity and
responsiveness to insulin are usually normal, especially in the early stages.
Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults, but was traditionally
termed “juvenile diabetes” because a majority of these diabetes cases
were in children. Type 1 diabetes can be accompanied by irregular and
unpredictable high blood sugar levels,
frequently with ketosis,
and sometimes with serious low blood sugar levels.
Type 1
diabetes is partly inherited, with multiple genes, including certain genotypes,
known to influence the risk of diabetes. The increase of incidence of type 1
diabetes reflects the modern lifestyle. In genetically susceptible people, the
onset of diabetes can be triggered by one or more environmental factors, such
as a viral infection or diet.
diabetes is partly inherited, with multiple genes, including certain genotypes,
known to influence the risk of diabetes. The increase of incidence of type 1
diabetes reflects the modern lifestyle. In genetically susceptible people, the
onset of diabetes can be triggered by one or more environmental factors, such
as a viral infection or diet.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2
diabetes mellitus is
characterized by insulin
resistance, which may be combined with relatively reduced
insulin secretion.
The defective responsiveness of body tissues to insulin is believed to involve
the insulin receptor.
However, the specific defects are not known. Diabetes mellitus cases due to a
known defect are classified separately. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes mellitus.
diabetes mellitus is
characterized by insulin
resistance, which may be combined with relatively reduced
insulin secretion.
The defective responsiveness of body tissues to insulin is believed to involve
the insulin receptor.
However, the specific defects are not known. Diabetes mellitus cases due to a
known defect are classified separately. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes mellitus.
In
the early stage of type 2, the predominant abnormality is reduced insulin
sensitivity. At this stage, high blood sugar can be reversed by a variety of
measures and medications
that improve insulin sensitivity or reduce the liver‘s
glucose production. Type 2 diabetes
mellitus is due primarily to lifestyle factors and genetics. A number of
lifestyle factors are known to be important to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, including obesity, lack
of physical activity, poor diet, stress, and urbanization.
Dietary factors also influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks in excess is associated with an
increased risk.
the early stage of type 2, the predominant abnormality is reduced insulin
sensitivity. At this stage, high blood sugar can be reversed by a variety of
measures and medications
that improve insulin sensitivity or reduce the liver‘s
glucose production. Type 2 diabetes
mellitus is due primarily to lifestyle factors and genetics. A number of
lifestyle factors are known to be important to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, including obesity, lack
of physical activity, poor diet, stress, and urbanization.
Dietary factors also influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks in excess is associated with an
increased risk.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational
diabetes mellitus (GDM) resembles type 2 diabetes mellitus in several respects, involving a combination of
relatively inadequate insulin secretion and responsiveness. It occurs in about
2–10% of all pregnancies
and may improve or disappear after delivery. However, after pregnancy
approximately 5–10% of women with gestational diabetes are found to have
diabetes mellitus, most commonly type 2. Gestational diabetes is fully
treatable, but requires careful medical supervision throughout the pregnancy.
diabetes mellitus (GDM) resembles type 2 diabetes mellitus in several respects, involving a combination of
relatively inadequate insulin secretion and responsiveness. It occurs in about
2–10% of all pregnancies
and may improve or disappear after delivery. However, after pregnancy
approximately 5–10% of women with gestational diabetes are found to have
diabetes mellitus, most commonly type 2. Gestational diabetes is fully
treatable, but requires careful medical supervision throughout the pregnancy.
Other types of diabetes
Prediabetes
indicates a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are
higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Many people
destined to develop type 2 diabetes
mellitus spend many years in a state of prediabetes.
indicates a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are
higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Many people
destined to develop type 2 diabetes
mellitus spend many years in a state of prediabetes.
Some
cases of diabetes are caused by the body’s tissue receptors not responding to
insulin. Abnormal insulin action may also have been genetically determined in
some cases. Any disease that causes extensive damage to the pancreas
may lead to diabetes. Diseases associated with excessive secretion of insulin-antagonistic hormones
can cause diabetes.
cases of diabetes are caused by the body’s tissue receptors not responding to
insulin. Abnormal insulin action may also have been genetically determined in
some cases. Any disease that causes extensive damage to the pancreas
may lead to diabetes. Diseases associated with excessive secretion of insulin-antagonistic hormones
can cause diabetes.
Other
forms of diabetes mellitus include congenital diabetes, which is due to genetic
defects of insulin secretion and several forms of monogenic diabetes.
forms of diabetes mellitus include congenital diabetes, which is due to genetic
defects of insulin secretion and several forms of monogenic diabetes.
Signs and symptoms of diabetes
The
classic symptoms of untreated diabetes are weight loss, increased urination,
increased thirst and increased hunger. Symptoms may develop rapidly (weeks or
months) in type 1 diabetes
mellitus, while they usually develop much more slowly or absent in
type 2 diabetes mellitus.
classic symptoms of untreated diabetes are weight loss, increased urination,
increased thirst and increased hunger. Symptoms may develop rapidly (weeks or
months) in type 1 diabetes
mellitus, while they usually develop much more slowly or absent in
type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Several
other signs and symptoms can mark the onset of diabetes although they are not
specific to the disease. In addition to the known ones above, they include
blurry vision, headache, fatigue,
slow healing of cuts, and itchy skin. Prolonged high blood glucose can cause
glucose absorption in the lens of the eye,
which leads to changes in its shape, resulting in vision changes.
other signs and symptoms can mark the onset of diabetes although they are not
specific to the disease. In addition to the known ones above, they include
blurry vision, headache, fatigue,
slow healing of cuts, and itchy skin. Prolonged high blood glucose can cause
glucose absorption in the lens of the eye,
which leads to changes in its shape, resulting in vision changes.
Prevention of diabetes
There
is no known preventive measure for type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes
can often be prevented or delayed by maintaining a normal
body weight, engaging in physical exercise, and consuming a
healthful diet. Dietary changes known to be effective in helping to prevent
diabetes include maintaining a diet rich in whole grains
and fiber,
and choosing good fats, vegetable oils, and fish. Limiting sugary beverages and
eating less red meat and other sources of saturated fat
can also help prevent diabetes. Tobacco smoking is also associated with an
increased risk of diabetes and its complications, so smoking cessation
can be an important preventive measure as well.
is no known preventive measure for type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes
can often be prevented or delayed by maintaining a normal
body weight, engaging in physical exercise, and consuming a
healthful diet. Dietary changes known to be effective in helping to prevent
diabetes include maintaining a diet rich in whole grains
and fiber,
and choosing good fats, vegetable oils, and fish. Limiting sugary beverages and
eating less red meat and other sources of saturated fat
can also help prevent diabetes. Tobacco smoking is also associated with an
increased risk of diabetes and its complications, so smoking cessation
can be an important preventive measure as well.
Management of diabetes
Diabetes
mellitus is a chronic disease,
for which there is no known cure except in very specific situations. Management
concentrates on keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal, without causing
low blood sugar. This can usually be accomplished with a healthy diet,
exercise, weight loss, and use of appropriate medications. This can be achieve
through:
mellitus is a chronic disease,
for which there is no known cure except in very specific situations. Management
concentrates on keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal, without causing
low blood sugar. This can usually be accomplished with a healthy diet,
exercise, weight loss, and use of appropriate medications. This can be achieve
through:
·
Change in lifestyle: People with diabetes can benefit from education about the disease and
treatment, good nutrition to
achieve a normal body weight, and exercise, with the goal of keeping both
short-term and long-term blood glucose levels within acceptable bounds. In addition, given the associated higher risks of cardiovascular
disease, lifestyle modifications are recommended to control blood pressure.
·
Use of medications: Medications used to treat diabetes do so by lowering blood sugar levels. There are a number of different classes of anti-diabetic medications.
Type 1 diabetes can only be treated with insulin.
References
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