It is a chronic health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. A person develops diabetes when their body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, resulting in increased levels of sugar in the blood. Poorly managed diabetes can cause a number of serious health problems. In this article, we will delve into the various aspects of Diabetes Mellitus, including types, symptoms, causes, and ways to effectively manage it.
Types of Diabetes Mellitus
The three principal types are:
- Type 1 Diabetes
It is an autoimmune disorder of the body where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. There is little or no insulin produced as a result, thus requiring Type 1 diabetes patients to take insulin for life.
- Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most frequent type and occurs when the body is either resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal levels of sugar in the blood. It most often relates to lifestyle and life elements such as diet, inactivity, and obesity.
- Gestational Diabetes
This arises during pregnancy because, with the rapid growth occurring, the body struggles to produce insulin to counter the needs imposed on it. Its incidence normalizes post-delivery, though it predisposes one to type 2 diabetes in her later life.
What Causes Diabetes Mellitus?
Factors that may cause Diabetes Mellitus are:
Genetics: If diabetes runs in your family, you may have a higher risk.
Obesity: Being overweight, particularly in the abdomen, causes insulin resistance.
Sedentary way of life: Physical inactivity may reduce the ability of the body to utilize sugar in the bloodstream.
Poor Diet:Increased consumption of processed foods, sweetened beverages, and unhealthy fats further raises the risk.
Age: The older a person becomes, the more at risk they are of developing type 2 diabetes, with an onset usually after the age of 45.
Hormonal Changes: Other hormonal changes due to syndromes, like PCOS, can also predispose to diabetes.
Recognizing diabetes at an early stage helps in preventing many complications.
Some of the very common symptoms are:
– Excessive urine
– Frequent thirst and hunger – Unexplained weight loss
– Weakness and fatigue
– Blurred vision
– Slow-healing wounds
– Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
How Is Diabetes Mellitus Diagnosed?
Several other tests help the doctor to diagnose diabetes, such as:
Fasting Blood Sugar: This measures the amount of sugar in the blood after a night’s fasting.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): This gives information on how your body breaks down sugar after consuming a solution of glucose.
Hemoglobin A1C test: This provides an average of the blood sugar levels for the past two to three months.
Random Blood Sugar: It measures blood glucose at any random time.
Management of Diabetes Mellitus
Proper management requires a combination of changes in lifestyle, medication, and regular monitoring. This is how you keep the sugar levels within the normal range:
- Balanced Diet Eat wholesome foods that are rich in protein, good fat, and fiber. Stay away from processed foods, sweetened drinks, and high carbohydrate quantities.
- Keep Moving Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Walking, jogging, swimming, and strength training-all types of exercise help to increase insulin sensitivity.
- Take Medications as Directed Depending on the type of diabetes, you may require insulin therapy or oral medications such as metformin to help control blood sugar.
- Monitor blood sugar levels. This will help you keep a record of how different kinds of food and activities affect the blood sugar level and, therefore, what changes can be made for it to stay within the healthy range.
- Stress management Stress can also cause elevated blood sugar levels. It is thus better to manage stress by meditating, deep breathing, or practicing yoga, and also by having sufficient sleep.
Complications of Uncontrolled Diabetes
Serious complications of diabetes mellitus due to poor management include:
– Heart disease and stroke
– Kidney failure
– Nerve damage (neuropathy)
– Vision problems and blindness
– Foot ulcers which may require amputation
– Increased risk of infections
Final Thoughts
Diabetes mellitus is quite serious but also manageable. Healthy lifestyle choices, staying active, and following the doctor’s advice will lead you into a healthy life and away from complications. On noticing any diabetes-related symptom, do not waste time but seek a doctor’s visit for early diagnosis and treatment. The earlier you act, the better the chances of keeping diabetes under control and living a healthy life.
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This post is by Dhodhar.
