Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which our body is not able to make or use insulin, a hormone which is needed to change sugar or other food into energy. Our body keeps the blood glucose level within a particular range via insulin and glucagon. Glucagon causes the liver to circulate glucose from its cells to the blood so as to produce energy.
There are three kinds of diabetes:
In Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the breakdown of glucose gets stopped and the body starts using fat and protein to produce energy. It causes symptoms like polydipsia, polyuria, polyphegia, and extreme weightloss.
Type 1 Diabetes is autoimmune disease that is caused due to damage of beta cells due to destructive nature of cells in the body.
Type 2 Diabetes is non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) diabetes. It happens when the body makes enough insulin but does not make use of it. This diabetes develops in middle age.Obesity, lack of exercise, heredity and stress increase the probability of diabetes. People with high blood sugar levels can have kidney failure, heart diseases and neuropathy. In addition, Gestational diabetes is dangerous for pregnant women and their fetus.
Symptoms of Diabetes
In both types of diabetes the symptoms are quite alike as blood sugar is high because of decreased or no production of insulin.
Diabetes Type 1:
In this type of diabetes, the pancreas stop making insulin as a result of autoimmune response or a viral attack on pancreas. The body cells don’t get the needed glucose for creating Adenosin Triphosphate (ATP) that leads to the main symptom of nausea and vomiting. It can cause ketoacidosis where the body begins to break down the muscle tissue and fat for generating energy. This causes weight loss. The electrolyte imbalance causes dehydration. In later stages, coma and death is observed.
Diabetes Type 2:
The symptoms are:
Tiredness: The cells are not able to metabolize glucose and fat is used to generate energy. The breaking down of fat requires more energy resulting in fatigue.
Polydipsia: When the amount of glucose goes high in the blood, the brain gives a signal to dilute it, creating thirst.
Polyuria: The body does away with extra sugar in the blood by removing it through urine. It can cause dehydration as with the sugar, a huge quantity of water is also excreted out.
Polyphegia: Insulin is accountable for stimulating hunger. The high sugar levels lead to more insulin production, causing increased hunger.
Weight changes: The metabolism of fat and protein causes weight loss.
Blurry vision: In hyperosmolar hyperglycemia nonketotic syndrome, the body fluid is extracted out of tissues involving the eye lense leading to blurry vision.
Infections: Diabetes causes suppression of immune system by skin infections like fungal or UTI (urinary tract infection).
Poor wound healing: High blood sugar avoids the working of WBC that is accountable for the immune system.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that affects pregnant women. The hormones produced in pregnancy decreases a woman's accessibility to insulin causing high blood sugar levels. It affects about 4-5% of all pregnant women. The hormones implicated in placenta development causing insulin resistance. If body cannot use insulin because of insulin resistance it causes Gestational Diabetes.
Causes of Diabetes
Hereditary: Studies have shown that certain genes are responsible for diabetes. A person with diabetic mother or father has a higher risk of diabetes.
Age: Age is an important factor for diabetes. Around 70% people with diabetes are more than 50 years in age.
Malnutrition: Inappropriate nutrition that is low in protein and fiber can cause diabetes.
Obesity: Obesity causes high insulin resistance, hence diabetes.
Inactive Lifestyle: People who are inactive have a higher probability to develop diabetes.
Stress: Any emotional disturbance can trigger this disease.
Drug Induced: Diabetes can occur as a side effect of certain drugs like Clozaril, Zyprexa, Risperdal and Seroquel.
Sex: Diabetes is seen in elderly males and in women with multiple pregnancies or having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Hypertension: High blood pressure can cause diabetes.
Cholesterol: A high cholesterol level in the blood can trigger this disease.
Treatment
People with type 1 diabetes should take insulin as their bodies do not produce enough insulin. Healthy food, regular exercise and weight reductions can lower blood sugar level in type 2 diabetes. In case these treatments do not work, you must take diabetes pills to lower your blood glucose. After some years, people with type 2 diabetes also require insulin shots.
A wide range of diabetes pills are there for people with type 2 diabetes to lower their blood glucose level. The diabetes pills belong to one of the following groups and each pill works in different manner. Sulfonylureas accelerate your pancreas to produce more insulin. Biguanides function by reducing the quantity of glucose manufactured by your liver. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work by diminishing the speed of starch absorption. Thiazolidinediones make you more responsive to insulin. Meglitinides stimulate your pancreas to increase the insulin production. D-phenylalanine derivatives aid the pancreas to quicken the insulin production. Combination oral medicines comprise different drug combinations used. If your pancreas no longer manufactures adequate amounts of insulin, you must intake insulin.
Diet
Diet plays a major role in diabetes control. The main goal of a diabetic diet is to sustain an ideal body weight by controlling sugar levels and providing adequate nutrition. The diet plan depends on the height, weight, age, sex, physical workout, any other medical condition and type of diabetes.The other problems like high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels must be kept in mind. The dietician also evaluates the calories given through carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, fats etc. The important factors are:
Exercise during Diabetes
Exercise increases muscular activity and blood circulation by maintaining weight. Daily exercise along with brisk walk can enhance the affectivity of insulin. If you are insulin dependent, a good exercise routine can lead to a major fall in your blood glucose, leading to hypoglycemia. If your exercise lasts for a long time, you can take sugar or fruit juice at proper intervals to prevent hypoglycemia. If you are taking tablets, you can do extra work outs without any hypoglycemia.