All you should know about Diabetes.

Diabetes | Diabetes is a disease that affects your body’s ability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone. When your body turns the food you eat into energy (also called sugar or glucose), insulin is released to help transport this energy to the cells. Insulin acts as a “key.” Its chemical message tells the cell to open and receive glucose. If you produce little or no insulin, or are insulin resistant, too much sugar remains in your blood. Blood glucose levels are higher than normal for individuals with diabetes.

                There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Type I diabetes: Also known as juvenile diabetes, this type occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. People with type I diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body uses insulin. While the body still makes insulin, unlike in type I, the cells in the body do not respond to it as effectively as they once did. This is the most common type of diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and it has strong links with obesity.

Gestational diabetes: This type occurs in women during pregnancy when the body can become less sensitive to insulin. Gestational diabetes does not occur in all women and usually resolves after giving birth.

Less common types of diabetes include monogenic diabetes and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

Prediabetes.
Doctors refer to some people as having prediabetes or borderline diabetes when blood sugar is usually in the range of 100 to 125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Normal blood sugar levels - 70 to 99 mg/dL, whereas a person with diabetes will have a fasting blood sugar higher than 126 mg/dL.
The prediabetes level means that blood glucose is higher than usual but not so high as to constitute diabetes.

Causes of diabetes?

1. Genetics.
2. Lifestyle and environment.
3. Eating an unhealthy diet.
4. A family history of diabetes.
5. A history of high blood pressure.
6. Having gestational diabetes or giving birth to a child with a birth weight of more than 9 pounds.
7. A history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
8. Having a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level lower than 40 mg/dL or 50 mg/dL
9. Overweight or obese and not exercising enough(particularly Type 2 diabetes).
10. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune response. The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas.

How does diabetes affect my body?

Over time, high blood sugar levels (also called hyperglycemia) can lead to kidney disease, heart disease and blindness. The excess sugar in the bloodstream can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and kidneys, and can harden or narrow your arteries.

Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst.
• Increased hunger (especially after eating).
• Dry mouth.
• Frequent urination.
• Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry).
• Weak, tired feeling.
• Blurred vision.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Slow-healing sores or cuts.
• Dry and itchy skin.
• Frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections.

Early symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Feeling weak.
• Feeling dizzy.
• Feeling hungry.
• Trembling and feeling shaky.
• Sweating.
• Pounding heart.
• Pale skin.
• Feeling frightened or anxious.

Late symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Feeling confused.
• Headache.
• Feeling cranky.
• Poor coordination.
• Bad dreams or nightmares.
• Being unable keep your mind on one subject.
• Numbness in your mouth and tongue.
• Passing out.

Diabetes is diagnosed by one of the following:

Your blood sugar level is equal to or greater than 126 mg/dl.
You have two random blood sugar tests over 200 mg/dl with symptoms.
You have an oral glucose tolerance test with results over 200 mg/dl.
Your HbA1c test is greater than 6.5 percent on two separate days.

Fasting Glucose Test.

1. Normal: Less than 100.
2. Pre-diabetes: 100-125.
3. Diabetes: 126 or higher.

Random (anytime) Glucose Test.

1. Normal: Less than 140.
2. Pre-diabetes: 140-199.
3. Diabetes: 200 or higher.

HbA1c Test.

1. Normal: Less than 5.7%
2. Pre-diabetes: 5.7 - 6.4%
3. Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

Management of Diabetes:

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be treated and controlled. The goals of managing diabetes are to:

• Keep your blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible by balancing food intake with medication and activity.
• Maintain your blood cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) levels as near the normal ranges as possible.
• Control your blood pressure. Your blood pressure should not go over 140/90.

Diabetes can be managed by:

1. Planning what you eat and following a balanced meal plan.
2. Exercising regularly.
3. Taking medication, if prescribed, and make sure you dont miss any dose.
4. Monitoring your blood glucose and blood pressure levels at home.
5. Keeping your appointments with your healthcare providers and having laboratory tests completed as ordered by your doctor.

Final Word

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Thank-You.
Dr. Honey Mittal