diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem worldwide. What type of disease is it, is it dangerous, and what are its symptoms? Let's find out in this lesson. We will also discuss types of diabetes; hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia; prevention, treatment, and factors responsible for this disease; is diabetes a hereditary disease; is there a cure for diabetes, and so on. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when our blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is our main source of energy and comes from the food we eat. This disease affects our body's ability to produce or use insulin, which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Insulin is made by the pancreas and helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy.

Diabetes is defined as a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Types of diabetes

There are a few different types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are when the body incorrectly identifies its own useful cells as an attacking organism. In this disease, the immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made, so that they can no longer produce insulin. It’s unclear what causes this attack. About 10 percent of cases have this type. This type is called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. It shouldn't be left untreated, because it can become a life-threatening condition. It's essential that treatment is started early. Type 1 diabetes usually appears first in children and adolescents, but it can also occur in adults
   
• Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the levels of blood glucose to become too high. It is the most common type of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the islet cells (the pancreatic cells that produce hormones) are still working.  In this type, the pancreas produces insulin, but the body cannot use it effectively. Type 2 diabetes is a serious medical condition that often requires the use of anti-diabetic medication, or insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to appear as people age, but children may still develop it.
   
• Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes almost always had prediabetes first. It doesn't usually cause symptoms.
   
• Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta cause this type of diabetes. This type usually disappears after giving birth. It can happen at any stage of pregnancy but is more common in the second or third trimester. Regular check-ups of blood glucose levels are of great help while pregnant. 

Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia

The condition of raised blood sugar is called Hyperglycaemia, and it is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. 

But, people with diabetes can also have a condition called Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is the condition when your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too low. Diabetic hypoglycemia occurs when people with diabetes don't have enough sugar (glucose) in their blood. And because glucose is the main source of fuel for the body and brain, we can't function well if we don't have enough.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

The very first symptoms of this disease are polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia. These terms correspond to increases in thirst, urination, and appetite, respectively. These symptoms usually, but not always occur together.

Other symptoms include a lack of energy, fatigue, weight loss, dry mouth, itchy skin, blurry vision, etc. 

Is diabetes a genetic/hereditary disease?

Diabetes is a hereditary disease, which means that the child is at high risk of developing diabetes compared to the general population at the given age. Diabetes can be inherited from either mother or father. Not everyone who inherits the genes will develop it.

Prevention

Type 1 diabetes can not be prevented, because it's caused by a problem with the immune system. But, lifestyle changes can help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. If someone is currently at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which means it has excess weight or obesity, high cholesterol, or a family history of diabetes, prevention is very important. Prevention may include:

• Losing weight reduces the risk of diabetes
• Being more physically active
• Eating healthy food
• Quit smoking

Treatment

Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes:

• Taking insulin
• Carbohydrate, fat, and protein counting
• Frequent blood sugar monitoring
• Eating healthy foods.
• Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight

Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes:

• Losing weight
• Eating well
• Exercising

If diet and exercise aren't enough for managing blood sugar, diabetes medications or insulin therapy may be needed. For some people, a diabetes-healthy lifestyle is enough to control their blood sugar levels.

Factors responsible for diabetes

Certain factors increase the risk of getting diabetes. They include:

• Weight
• Inactivity
• Family history
• Race or ethnicity
• Age
• Gestational diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• High blood pressure

Is there a cure for diabetes?

No cure for diabetes currently exists, but the disease can go into remission. When diabetes goes into remission, it means that the body does not show any signs of diabetes, although the disease is technically still present.

When having diabetes, always should follow prescribed medications and instructions from your doctor. That sometimes includes taking insulin, frequently monitoring blood sugar levels, eating at regular intervals, etc.