Diabetes Mellitus

learn about Ujala Cygnus Hospital. Now around 15-18 per cent of the country's population is afflicted by Diabetes mellitus, the urbane inhabitants more at risk. What makes it even more significant is the wide range of multisystem afflictions due to this metabolic disorder. Since glucose is present because the source of vitality in virtually every nook and corner of the human body, diabetes impacts almost every organ system, a few of the complications being life-threatening.

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Diabetes is broadly divided into two types, type 1 and type 2 with similar symptoms but different pathogenesis. Type 1 DM is due to an autoimmune insult into the pancreas causing the loss of beta cells which produce insulin - a hormone necessary in internalizing glucose into cells for its metabolism and energy generation. Onset in type 1 usually occurs before 30 years of age. On the other hand type, 2 DM is due to an insulin receptor defect which contributes to the inability to internalize sugar from the cells despite adequate or elevated amounts of insulin hormone. Type 2 DM generally occurs after 30 decades old and is associated with risk factors like obesity, sedentary lifestyle, PCOS, or other endocrine disorders like Cushing's syndrome, heredity playing a significant role. Symptoms include polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, fatigue, etc.

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus might be preceded by a stage of prediabetes where a person has an increased likelihood of developing diabetes in the future. Fasting blood glucose of 100-125 mg/ dl, a post-prandial blood sugar 140-199 mg/dl, or an HbA1c of 5.7-6.5 percentage puts you in this prediabetic class. Values higher than these indicate the identification of diabetes. HbA1c is the test used to discover the proportion of Hb covalently connected to sugar molecules in the blood. Since the ordinary lifespan of RBCs is 3-4 months, HbA1c values indicate the mean glycemic condition of the individual over the past 3-4 months.

Lifestyle changes are in the centre stage to stop, delay or even handle diabetes mellitus. Loss of excess body weight, regular physical exercise, moderation in intake of refined carbohydrates and fats go a long way to maintain a wholesome body in diabetes. Aside from that when the blood glucose is on the higher side it's advisable to go in for treatment instead of letting the excessive sugar run amok in the blood and play havoc with a multitude of organ systems. Type 1 DM normally requires insulin whereas early stages of type 2 DM may be well controlled with oral hypoglycemic drugs, lifestyle, and dietary alterations playing with a positive adjuvant function.

Certain emergencies may appear like diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 or hyperosmolar coma in form 2 which require immediate attention and hospitalization and can be life-threatening. Along with these severe complications, diabetes has a profusion of chronic complications that are directly associated with the length of disease and glycemic control. Glucose damages the arteries and leads to a narrowing which could result in strokes and heart attacks. DM is associated with a disturbance in lipid metabolism which aggravates atherosclerosis. It may bind to damage neurons leading to neuropathy causing tingling and paraesthesias. DM has a notorious effect on the kidney leading to feature glomerular lesions and end-stage renal failure. It may affect the eyes leading to retinopathy leading to loss of visual acuity over time.

Given the complications and life-damaging effects of diabetes, it's imperative to keep yourself checked and should afflict to keep yourself tested for the associated complications as well to keep a decent lifestyle, in addition, to keep your blood sugar under control with drugs and diet. The drugs will not have as grave side effects as the consequences of the disease. Better to be safe than sorry.