Know more about Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which our body is unable to utilize the glucose for its energy requirements. For the cells to be able to use the nutrients for digested food it is essential to have insulin in the blood. Insulin is like a key, which opens the gate of the cells to permit glucose and other substances to enter it. In the absence of insulin, cells cannot take up glucose. The starving cells signal for help. In response, to supply the cells, extra glucose is made by converting fats and proteins into glucose (gluconeogenesis). The blood glucose goes on rising because-

1) The cells cannot take up glucose due to lack of insulin &

2) More glucose is being made by the body.

Thus there is a situation known as Diabetes where the blood glucose keeps rising even when there is no intake of food.

Types of Diabetes:

There are two main types of Diabetes.

Type I Diabetes or IDDM (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus):

Here body makes too little or no insulin. An autoimmune process destroys the beta cells of the pancreas. These patients require insulin injections for controlling their Diabetes. Type I Diabetes is generally seen in childhood.

Type II Diabetes or NIDDM (Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus):

Here the beta cells of the pancreas are not destroyed as in Type I Diabetes. They still can make some insulin, but the insulin does not work properly due to peripheral insulin resistance. Such patients are generally overweight and are treated with OHA i.e. Oral Hypoglycemic Agents, or tablets. Occasionally, in a few cases insulin treatment is also required.

Both types of Diabetes can cause complications and need to be controlled.

Other types of Diabetes:

GDM: Gestational Diabetes mellitus.

Secondary Diabetes: Caused due to certain conditions like pancreatic disease, drugs or chemical induced, hormonal or malnutrition related Diabetes, maturity onset Diabetes.

Complications of Diabetes:

Short-term complications:

They could be as excessive thirst and urination, all kind of infections, especially fungal infections of genitals, weight loss, general debility and fatigue and also diabetic coma (ketoacidosis).

Late complications:

People with Diabetes are more likely than others to have:

Cardiac arrest

Stroke

Frequent infections

Ophthalmic complications leading to blindness

Renal complications

Impotence

Nerve damage

Diabetic foot may lead to amputation.

Controlling Diabetes:

Lifestyle Management plays vital role in control of Diabetes. Regular follow-up and constant motivation is required to ensure the preventive measures.

There are some factors which may lead to Diabetes. They are called diabetogenic factors. Following are some of the diabetogenic factors which need to be checked and corrected regularly:-

• Obesity

• High calorie diet

• Excessive Sugar Intake

• Lack of physical activity

• Infections

• Diabetogenic drugs.