Define Diabetes
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What is Diabetes?
Diabetes can be defined as a disorder that affects the process through which the body converts food into energy. It is a metabolism disorder that inhibits the normal usage of food for growth. All the food we eat must be broken down in to glucose through the metabolic process. The glucose produced must be absorbed in to the blood awaiting to enter the cells where it is used. The cells are able to absorb the glucose with the help of insulin which is a hormone produced by the pancreases. The quantity of insulin released in the body by the pancreases is normally enough to help move the glucose in to the cells. This helps in lowering the level of sugar in the blood.
Diabetes is therefore a condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is elevated because there is no insulin to enable the cells absorbs it into the blood. This is a condition referred to as hyperglycemia. Similarly, a person may suffer from diabetes if the cells are not sufficiently responding to the insulin produced by the pancreases. These two conditions will result in excess glucose which builds up in the blood stream and is passed out through the urine. This denies the cells the essentials required for growth and energy.
Types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes: Was previously referred to as insulin dependent, it occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the beta cells which produces insulin in the pancreases. It is also referred to as juvenile –onset diabetes and can occur at any age especially below 40 years. It is triggered by environmental factors including viruses, diet and chemicals. Patient of this diabetes must inject themselves with insulin and must have a good diet and exercises. Type 1 diabetes is become more common in kids and teenagers. The main problem is that doctors aren’t aware of its actual causes. There’re different pieces of evidence that show a relation between genetic and environmental factors that play an important roles for the disease’s development. We do know of special factors that will increase the possibility of developing type 1 diabetes like virus exposure, genetics, family history and low vitamin D levels.
Type 2 diabetes: it was previously referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes. It is the most common form of diabetes. It is also known as late-onset diabetes and its characteristics include insulin resistance and insulin deficiency. It is genetic though lifestyle factors such as inactivity, overweight, high blood pressure and poor diet enhances its development. It can be managed by dietary changes, exercises, tablets and insulin injection. Meat, fish, eggs, chicken, cheese, cottage cheese, tofu and peanut butter are protein foods. These protein-rich foods leave a bad impact to the sugar level after consumption. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by avoiding these foods. Because, extra calories become body fat which reduce insulin’s capability to remove the sugar from the blood.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): this is a carbohydrate intolerance which can be caused by genetic factors, increasing maternal age, obesity and can occur in anyone who is at risk of developing type 2diabetes. It is normally diagnosed during pregnancy when oral glucose tolerance test is carried out. Gestational diabetes melitus (GDM) may improve or disappear after pregnancy. It is can be fully treated only if the treatment is supervised and carefully done during the pregnancy. Research shows that 20% to 50% of women who suffer from this condition develop type 2 diabetes. If GDM is not treated during pregnancy, the health of the fetus and the mother are at risk. The risks the baby is exposed to include high birth weight (macrosomia), congenital cardiac, central nervous system anomalies and malformation of the skeletal muscle. If insulin is used in large quantities, it may inhibit the production of fetal surfactant and this can cause respiratory distress syndrome. The diabetes can cause the destruction of the red blood cells and can lead to perinatal death due to inadequate placenta perfusion caused by vascular impairment. If the risk of injury associated with macrosomia is high, a cesarean section may be performed.
Pre-diabetes; it normally occurs when the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not sufficient for the diagnosis of type 2. Pre-diabetes is a necessary condition for developing type2 diabetes.
Latent autoimmune diabetes for adult is another condition from which type 1 diabetes develops especially in adult.
Some of the main causes of diabetes include genetic mutation (autosomal or mitochondrial) which leads to defects in the better cell functions. Other diseases which may results in extensive damage to the pancreases may also lead to diabetes. Among the diseases known to lead to this include chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis. Other diseases that lead to excessive secretion of insulin antagonistic hormones are also known to cause diabetes. However, if the hormone is removed the condition can be well managed. There are several drugs which can be used to impair insulin secretion and some toxins damage pancreatic better cells.
Signs and symptoms of diabetes.
Hyperglycemia and osmosis; Polyuria which refers to frequent urination , polyphagia (increased hunger and polydipsia ( increased thirst ) are indicators of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes the symptoms develop faster and can only take weeks or just a few months. This is different in type 2 diabetes which develops at a slower rate and may appear to be subtle or absent for a long time.
Prolonged high blood glucose may make the eye lenses change and this may result in vision changes. If the glucose is however controlled the lens ultimately returns to its original shape. The victims will always complain of blurred vision. Rapid vision change points towards type 1 however, if the vision change is gradual, it points towards type 2.
Bottom line
There is no treatment or medicine which can remove this disease completely. However, you can control this by maintaining a good and simple life. You just need to bring simple changes in your regular activities and diet. Check out Health.com’s section on diabetes.