What is Diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus, or diabetes, is a metabolic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. Insulin transfers sugar from the bloodstream into your cells, where it is stored or used for energy. Your body either doesn’t generate enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it does make efficiently if you have diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which is situated behind the stomach. Insulin is released into your bloodstream by your pancreas. Insulin is the hormone that helps glucose to enter the cells of your body. Glucose is the “fuel” or energy that tissues and organs require to function properly.

Diabetes-related high blood sugar can impair your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs if left untreated.

Diabetes is categorized into various types:

Diabetes type 1: 

It is an autoimmune disease caused in the pancreas, where insulin is produced. The immune system attacks and destroys cells responsible for producing insulin. It affects almost about 10% of diabetic patients. It is also called “juvenile” diabetes because it is most commonly found in children and young adults (but can develop at any age). People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. It’s also known as insulin-dependent diabetes.

Diabetes Type 2:

This type 2 diabetes occurs when your body either does not produce enough insulin or when your body’s cells do not respond to insulin properly. It is caused when your body develops insulin resistance. It causes sugar to build up in your blood, resulting in a higher blood glucose level. Type 2 diabetes affects up to 95% of people with diabetes. It mainly affects persons in their 40s-5-s. Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult-onset diabetes or insulin-resistant diabetes.

Prediabetes: 

When your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

High blood sugar during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. This kind of diabetes is caused by the placenta’s production of insulin-blocking substances. Some women develop this kind of diabetes during their pregnancy. Gestational diabetes normally disappears following the birth of a child. If you have gestational diabetes, you’re more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Monogenic Diabetes

It is an uncommon hereditary form of diabetes that accounts for 4% of all occurrences. Neonatal diabetes and young-onset diabetes are two such examples.

Drug- or chemical-induced Diabetes

This type of diabetes can occur after an organ transplant, as a result of HIV/AIDS treatment, or as a result of glucocorticoid steroid use.

Symptoms of diabetes:

The severity of diabetes symptoms varies based on elevated blood sugar levels. Some patients, particularly those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not have any symptoms at all. Some common signs and symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, extended weakness, tiredness and fatigue, blurred vision, unintentional weight loss, frequent urination, wounds and cuts which heals slowly, numbness and tingling of hands and legs, dry mouth, frequent gum, and skin infections.

Consequences:

Your body’s tissues and organs can be seriously damaged if your blood glucose level remains high for an extended time. Over time, some issues can become life-threatening. Cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, chest pain, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis, are some of the major concerns.

Nerve injury (neuropathy) causing numbness and tingling in the toes and fingers, nephropathy or kidney deterioration leading to renal failure, dialysis, or transplantation, blurred vision, cataracts and glaucoma, nerve damage, poor blood flow, depression, Infections of the skin, and gums are commonly associated consequences of diabetes.

Diagnosis:

Type 1 diabetes symptoms commonly occur quickly, causing people to check their blood sugar levels. Because the symptoms of other types of diabetes and prediabetes develop more slowly or aren’t always noticeable, diabetes should be screened in people with:

• Anyone over the age of 25 (23 for Asian Americans) with other risk factors such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, a sedentary lifestyle, a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome or heart disease, and a close relative with diabetes.
• Anyone above the age of 45 should have their blood sugar checked, and if the results are normal, they should be checked every three years after that.
• Women who have had gestational diabetes should get a diabetes screening every three years.
• Anyone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes should be examined at least once a year.

Commonly available Diagnostic tests to screen your elevated blood sugar glucose level are:

• Glycated Haemoglobin (A1C) Test: This non-fasting blood test determines your average blood sugar level over three months. It determines how much blood sugar is bound to haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The more sugar-attached haemoglobin you have, the higher your blood sugar levels are. You have diabetes if your A1C result is 6.5% or greater on two independent tests.
• A random blood sugar test: Random check of blood sugar after you eat is collected. A blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) — 11.1 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) or greater, regardless of when you last ate, indicates diabetes.
• Fasting blood sugar test: After overnight fasting, a blood sample is collected. It is normal to have a fasting blood sugar level of less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). Prediabetes is defined as a fasting blood sugar level of 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L). You are considered diabetic if your blood sugar levels are 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or greater.
• Oral glucose tolerance test. For this test, you fast overnight, and the fasting blood sugar level is measured. Then you drink a sugary liquid, your blood sugar levels are monitored for the next two hours. Normal blood sugar levels are fewer than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). After two hours, a blood sugar level of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) indicates diabetes.

Treatment:

The most common treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin. It acts as a substitute for the hormone that your body is unable to produce. There are four different types of insulin treatment based on the severity of the disease. The insulin treatment includes Rapid-acting insulin, Short-acting insulin, Intermediate-acting insulin, Long-acting insulin. Some patients with type 2 diabetes can benefit from a healthy diet and regular exercise. You’ll need to take medication if lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower your blood sugar. These medications work in a variety of ways to reduce blood sugar levels. Your doctor will prescribe a medicine or a combination of drugs based on the kind of diabetes you have and the cause.

Diet:

Healthy nutrition is an important element of diabetes management. In other cases, simply improving your diet may be enough to keep the disease under control. One can consult a dietician for guidance in developing a diabetes food plan. Getting the correct protein, fat, and carbohydrate balance can help you manage your blood sugar.

Gestational Diabetes Diet: During the gestational period of nine months, eating a well-balanced diet is crucial for both you and your baby. Choosing the right foods can also help you avoid having diabetes and its medication.

One should limit sugary and salty foods and watch their portion sizes. They need some sugar to feed your growing baby but must avoid excessive sugar intake.

Consider working with a dietitian or nutritionist to create a well-balanced diet plan to ensure your diet has the appropriate macronutrient balance.

PreDiabetic Diet chart: Although it is impossible to eliminate all risk factors for prediabetes, can reduce some. Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels and staying within a healthy weight can help you to control your increasing blood sugar levels. Foods that are high on The glycemic index (GI) should be avoided. Refined carbohydrates, processed, packed food, white bread, white rice, along with soda and juice are a few examples.

One can incorporate food rich in fiber green leafy vegetables in their diet which is low in GI.

Prevention:

Some essential tips to prevent and keep your blood glucose in control are:

• Following a healthy meal plan and planning what you eat. Follow a Mediterranean diet (vegetables, whole grains, beans, fruits, healthy fats, low sugar). These diets are high in fiber and nutrition but low in fats and calories. 
• Exercising regularly. On most days of the week, try to exercise for at least 30 minutes. Take a walk, swim, or engage in another activity that you enjoy.
• If you are overweight, you must lose weight. Develop a weight-loss plan with the help of your healthcare team.
• Taking medication and insulin as prescribed and following the instructions.
• Regularly monitor your blood glucose and blood pressure levels at home.
• Keep your appointments with your healthcare providers and have laboratory tests completed as recommended by your doctor.
• Quitting smoking (if you smoke).

Faqs:

Is diabetes an autoimmune disease?

Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune disorder. It is commonly referred to as juvenile diabetes because it is frequently diagnosed in adolescents and teenagers. The immune system of persons with type 1 diabetes mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues and destroys the pancreas’ insulin-producing cells. 

When to test Gestational diabetes?

When you’re between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant, your doctor suggests taking the OGTT. If you’ve previously experienced gestational diabetes, you’ll be offered an OGTT soon in 16-20 weeks of pregnancy, followed by another OGTT at 24 to 28 weeks if the first test is normal. 

What can I eat for diabetes?

Food that is low in carbohydrates and with a low glycemic index is suggested in the diet plan for diabetics. One can eat food rich in fiber, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables to keep their blood sugar in control.

How do I know if I have diabetes?

Keeping an eye on commonly felt symptoms if you are prediabetic or have a family history of diabetes can help to screen for diabetes. Symptoms like frequent urination, unintentional weight loss, dry mouth, increased water thirst are some common signs and symptoms of diabetes. If these signs occur, one should undergo glucose diagnostic testing. 

How to get rid of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes can not be cured but can be easily managed with the help of insulin. But type 2 diabetes can be managed with a good diet (a low-fat, low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet with plenty of vegetables), exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and living a healthy lifestyle. 

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is greater than normal. Although the level is not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes, people and children with prediabetes are more likely to acquire type 2 diabetes if they do not make lifestyle adjustments.

References

• https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html