Image Courtesy - Freepik
Overview | Symptoms | Causes | Risk factors | Complications
Overview
Diabetes mellitus collectively refers to a group of diseases that define how the body utilizes blood sugar (glucose). Glucose, in fact, is a major energy source for muscle cells and other cells making up tissues. Glucose is also the very fuel needed in the brain.
The major underlying cause for the development of diabetes varies from type to type. Regardless of the type of diabetes the patient might have, an excess of glucose in the blood is the common denominator. Blood sugar elevation, however, can be very dangerous to life.
Symptoms
The symptoms manifests only by an increase in the extent of blood sugar elevation. In conditions like prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, sometimes the person does not even encounter any symptoms. It is in the case of type 1 diabetes whereby all of sudden, these symptoms begin and feature themselves heavily.
The following are some common signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes:
1. Extreme thirst
2. Frequent urination
3. Unexplained weight loss
4. The presence of ketones in the urine
5. Feeling tired and weak
6. Being irritable with mood swings
7. Change in vision
8. Sores that take time to heal
9. Frequent infections such as gum infection, skin infection, and genital infection.
When to see a doctor
- If you think you or your child may have diabetes. If you notice any possible diabetes symptoms, contact your health care provider. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin.
- If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes. After you receive your diagnosis, you’ll need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar levels stabilize.
Symptoms for each type of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes: People suffering from type 1 diabetes can also vomit and have stomach pains or nausea. Enter an age when one diabetes can be diagnosed. Symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months and can be severe.
Type 2 diabetes: Symptoms of type 2 diabetes take years to develop-it takes years for some people to notice the symptoms. Many do not have any symptoms at all while they have type 2 diabetes. Most of the time, type 2 diabetes develops in an adult but nowadays it is also commonly seen in children and teens. However, symptoms are difficult to observe and so awareness of risk factors for type 2 diabetes is very necessary.
Gestational diabetes: Diabetes that develops during diabetes in pregnancy usually has no symptoms at all. If you’re pregnant, your doctor should test you between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant for gestational diabetes. If a test indicates the presence of gestational diabetes, certain changes such as healthy eating and being active can be made to promote health for you and your baby. In cases where such lifestyle changes do not suffice, your doctor may give medicine to help control blood sugar.
What causes Diabetes?
To understand diabetes, it’s important to understand how the body normally uses glucose.
How insulin works
Insulin is a hormone that comes from a gland behind and below the stomach (pancreas).
- The pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream.
- The insulin circulates, letting sugar enter the cells.
- Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.
- As the blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
The role of glucose
Glucose — a sugar — is a source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues. Glucose is also the very fuel needed in the brain
- Glucose comes from two major sources: food and the liver.
- Sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it enters cells with the help of insulin.
- The liver stores and makes glucose.
- When glucose levels are low, such as when you haven’t eaten in a while, the liver breaks down stored glycogen into glucose. This keeps your glucose level within a typical range.
The exact cause of most types of diabetes is unknown. In all cases, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This is because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be caused by a combination of genetic or environmental factors. It is unclear what those factors may be.
Risk factors
Each type of diabetes has its own risk factors. Heritage history is common to all types of diabetes. Environmental as well as geographical factors cause a predisposition for type 1 diabetes. For testing, some family relatives of an individual having type 1 diabetes are tested for diabetes immune system cells (autoantibodies). On informing them, a positive test shows they will likely develop type 1 diabetes. Many such people, however, never develop diabetes.
Your race or ethnicity may also put you at greater risk of type 2 diabetes. The reason is not well understood, but among people increased risk includes Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian Americans. Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes are conditions more common in overweight and obese populations.
Complications of Diabetes
Diabetes: A slow murderer of life’s beauty. The longer the diabetes and the more uncontrolled the blood sugar levels, the higher the complications. The complications might become disabling or develop into life-threatening conditions. Prediabetes is known to lead to type 2 diabetes. Some of the possible complications are:
Cardiovascular disease. Diabetes increases the risk for many heart diseases. These would include coronary artery diseases, and chest pains (angina) and others might include heart attacks, strokes, and artery blockages (atherosclerosis). If you have diabetes, heart disease or stroke is more likely to be seen among you.
Diabetic neuropathy. All of those years of high levels of sugar in the blood can injure the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish the nerves, particularly in the legs. Damage to the capillaries can cause glimmering sensations, numbness, burning, or pain approaching from the periphery (toes, fingers) and moving upwards.
Damage to the nerves controlling digestion may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. In men, this may lead to erectile dysfunction.
Diabetes and the kidneys (diabetic nephropathy). The kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessels, clustered together in these things called glomeruli, to filter waste from the blood. Glomeruli are, sadly, damaged by diabetes.
Eyes affected by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy). Diabetes may affect the blood supply to the eye, leading eventually to blindness.
Foot injuries. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood circulation in the feet puts one at risk for several complications in the feet.
Diabetic skin and mouth conditions. Diabetes may predispose you to skin problems like bacterial and fungal infections.
Hearing impairment. Hearing is common in people afflicted with diabetes.
Alzheimer’s Disease. Type 2 diabetes might up the ante in the risk for dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
Diabetes-associated Depression. Symptoms of depression are indeed found among Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Possible complications of gestational diabetes
Most women with gestational diabetes can deliver healthy babies without any problems. Nevertheless, untreated or uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to complications for both you and your baby.
Complications in your baby could be caused by gestational diabetes:
- Excess Growth. The excess glucose crosses the placenta. Extra glucose sends a signal for the baby to produce insulin. This may trigger the enlarged size of the baby. Difficult births and hence sometimes C-Section deliveries are called for.
- Low Blood Sugar. In most cases, babies of mothers afflicted with gestational diabetes might experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) a few hours after being born because of an overproduction of insulin within them.
- Type 2 Diabetes Later in Life. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later.
- Death: Untreated gestational diabetes is capable of causing a baby’s death before or shortly after delivery.
Diabetes consists of long-term conditions, some types being type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Others, such as prediabetes and gestational diabetes, could be considered reversible. Prediabetes means the blood sugar levels are higher than those considered to be normal but not enough to be a diagnosis of diabetes. In addition, if preventive action is not taken, prediabetes tends to develop into diabetes. The other type of diabetes is called gestational diabetes, and it occurs during pregnancy, most probably resolving after the baby is delivered.
