Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a condition that's characterized by high blood sugar level. In diabetes, the glucose level in your body increases either because your body is unable to produce a type of hormone called insulin, or it's unable to properly utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas. In either case, the glucose level in the body increases, leading to a hyperglycemic condition or high glucose level. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, well over 20 million people have diabetes.
What Causes Diabetes?
It's a myth that eating lots of sweets and maintaining a rich carbohydrate diet is the cause of diabetes. The main cause of diabetes is either that your pancreas is not producing enough insulin or the insulin receptors of your cells are not functioning normally. Only 5 percent to 10 percent people suffer from the former condition, the American Diabetes Association says. The latter is known as insulin resistance and is the most common form of diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus has many types. Type 1 diabetes or juvenile onset diabetes is an insulin-dependent diabetes, which develops at an early age. Type 2 diabetes or adult onset diabetes is non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Gestational diabetes is the increase in blood sugar level during pregnancy. Genetic defects in insulin actions can also induce diabetes. Various endocrinopathies (hormonal disturbances) causing chemical-induced diabetes is also common. Diabetes insipidus is another type of diabetes, which is not related to blood sugar. It pertains to anti-diuretic hormones and a defect in your kidneys. At times, diabetes is also induced by high doses of steroids.
Risk Factors and Symptoms
Smoking, eating junk food, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, Cushing's syndrome (hormonal abnormalities), familial history of diabetes, and excessive usage of corticosteroids are some of the risk factors that may invite diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia), excessive hunger (polyphagia), giddiness, unusual weight gain or loss, fatigue, irritable temperament, delayed healing, increased opportunistic infections and blurred vision. Signs such as multiple periodontal abscess, skin rashes, infections, athlete's foot, thrush and numbness of your foot can also be symptoms.
Complications
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of deaths in the U.S., data from the CDC show. Various complications that may arise from diabetes include heart diseases, strokes, eye diseases, retinopathy, nephropathy (kidney disorders) and keto acidosis.
Treatment
Treatment of diabetes is divided into short term and long term. The goal of short-term treatment is to restore the metabolic control; long-term goals are to minimize the risk of diabetic complications. Treatment modalities vary from a diet prescription--which include weight reduction or maintenance, diet control of carbohydrates, decreased cholesterol intake to less than 200mg per day and sodium restriction in those who are prone to hypertension.
An exercise prescription--in which aerobics are a crucial component--is strongly preferred, although heavy lifting and certain exercises are to be avoided. Pharmacology therapy such as oral glycemics includes sulfonyl ureases, which stimulate the release of insulin. Other drugs include tolbutamide (1.5g to 2g daily); acetohexamide, glipizide, glibenclamide, gliclazide and biguanides to control your blood sugar level. Insulin therapy is the first line of therapy for non-obese, younger or severely hyperglycemic patients or if you are pregnant.
