Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces. It is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar 126mg/dl or more. The normal glucose level is 90 or less mg/dl.
Types of Diabetes
There are a few different types of diabetes:
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Type 1 diabetes
It is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. It’s unclear what causes this attack. About 10 percent of people with diabetes have this type.
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Type 2 diabetes
It occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, and sugar builds up in your blood.
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Prediabetes
In this condition cells in the body are not using insulin properly. It occurs when your blood sugar is higher than normal. Blood glucose is more than 110 but less than 126mg/dl. One’s lifestyle will determine when prediabetes will advance to type 2 diabetes.
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Gestational diabetes
It is high blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta cause this type of diabetes.
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Diabetes insipidus
A rare condition called diabetes insipidus is not related to diabetes mellitus, although it has a similar name. It’s a different condition in which your kidneys remove too much fluid from your body.
Symptoms of diabetes
Diabetic symptoms are caused by rising blood sugar.
- increased hunger
- increased thirst
- weight loss
- frequent urination
- blurry vision
- extreme fatigue
- sores that don’t heal
- In men, men with diabetes may have a decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction (ED), and poor muscle strength.
- In women, women with diabetes can also have symptoms such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and dry, itchy skin.
Complications
High blood sugar damages organs and tissues throughout your body. The higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater your risk for complications. Complications associated with diabetes include:
- Diabetic coma or ketoacidosis (from high blood sugar)
- High blood pressure
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
- Neuropathy
- Nephropathy
- Retinopathy and vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Foot damage such as infections and sores that don’t heal
- Skin conditions such as bacterial and fungal infections
- Depression
- Dementia
Type 1 diabetes
It is also called Juvenile diabetes. In this condition, the body’s immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells. Beta cells are the only cells in the body that make the hormone insulin that regulates blood glucose. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
Symptoms
- Extreme hunger
- Increased thirst
- Unintentional weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Tiredness
- Mood changes
Causes
- Doctors don’t know exactly what causes this condition. For some reason, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
- Genes may play a role in some people. It’s also possible that a virus sets off the immune system attack.
Risk factors
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Environmental factors
Exposure to viral illness can lead to this condition.
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Family history
You’re risk increases if a parent or sibling has type 1 diabetes.
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Disease of pancreas
Some infections and illnesses can damage your pancreas. They can slow their ability to make insulin.
Treatment
Doctors treat this condition with a few different medications. Some of these drugs are taken by mouth, while others are available as injections.
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Oral medications
Sotagliflozin is new, and type 1 diabetes will be the first population in which it is used. These medications are taken as a once-daily pill and work independently of insulin. So glucose is released through the urine when blood sugars are high, and then the drugs stop working when glucose levels come down.
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Dietary modification
Sugar and processed carbohydrates make blood sugar rise and fall quickly. Limit how much and how often you eat foods high in sugar and processed carbohydrate.
Consult with a dietitian who can help you design a meal plan. Getting the right balance of protein, fat, and carbs can help you control your blood sugar.
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Insulin injections
Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. It replaces the hormone your body isn’t able to produce.
Prevention
Type 1 type isn’t preventable because it’s caused by a problem with the immune system.
Type 2 diabetes
It was previously called adult-onset diabetes because it usually occurred in adults over the age of 40. It is associated with obesity. In this condition, insulin is produced but your body’s cells aren’t able to respond to insulin.
Symptoms
- Increased hunger
- Increased urination
- Blurry vision
- Tiredness
- Sores that are slow to heal
- Increased thirst
Causes
The following are the causes of this condition.
- Obesity
- Family history/Genetics
- Physical inactivity
- Older age of 45 or more
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
Treatment
Diet and exercise can help some people manage type 2 diabetes. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower your blood sugar, you’ll need to take medications.
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Medications
Generally, metformin is the first medication prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, Insulin are several other medications.
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Diet
To keep your blood sugar levels steady, try to eat small meals throughout the day. Furthermore emphasize healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein such as poultry and fish, healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts.
