All you must know about Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus, or simply Diabetes, is a state in which your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to transfer glucose to your cells, which leads to a higher level of sugar in your blood which is extremely harmful.

In this post, from causes to treatments, we will summarize everything you need to know about Diabetes Mellitus.

What are the types of Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is further divided into four types –

  • Type 1 Diabetes – In this type of diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce any insulin. The reduction of insulin is due to the disruption of insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. It is very common in young children and adolescents. However, it might even develop at a later age. People with this type of diabetes must daily take in some amount of insulin. They take insulin through external sources like pens, injections, or even pumps. Since these people are dependent on external insulin, Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes.
  • Type 2 Diabetes – This is the most widespread type of diabetes. Its onset is in middle-aged people or old-aged people. In this case, either your pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or your body cannot use the insulin in the body. It is lighter than Type 1 diabetes, but still, it can cause ill-effects to your organs in many ways.
  • Gestational diabetes – It is evident that a woman’s body resists insulin during the phase of pregnancy. If not taken care of, the woman can develop diabetes. This diabetes might even vanish after the birth of the child. But in the meantime, it might cause harm to the baby.
  • Prediabetes – In this type, the blood sugar level goes higher than the usual level. But still, the level does not rise enough to be recognized as Type 2 diabetes. You can get over this type of diabetes with a change of lifestyle and living patterns. Proper workout and yoga can also be of great help.

What might make you diabetic?
The causes of diabetes also vary from type to type as –

  • Causes of Type 1 Diabetes –
    Type 1 diabetes appears when the beta cells inside the pancreas are affected and stop producing insulin. In addition, your genes or some virus or infection might weaken the immunity system.
  • Causes of Type 2 Diabetes-
    Obese and overweight are prone to Type 2 diabetes. Even people who don’t work out much and are not physically active may develop this type of diabetes. Genes also play a major role in this type of diabetes.
  • Causes of gestational diabetes –
    The hormonal disturbance during pregnancy is the major cause of this type of diabetes. However, genes, lifestyle, and even long effects of PCOS can lead to this.
  • Causes of prediabetes –
    The exact cause of prediabetes is not yet clear. But a disturbing lifestyle is a major reason for it. PCOS, hormonal disturbance, genes also cause prediabetes. You can be at risk of prediabetes if you’re foody and consume too much oily and sweet food.

What symptoms will I have if I am diabetic?

  • Yeast infections in skin fold areas like between fingers and toes, armpits, under breast, thighs, under the knee, and around private organs.
  • Frequent numbness in feet.
  • Slow heal up of wounds and cuts.
  • Sudden loss of weight.
  • Blurry eyesight.
  • Signs of Ketones in urine.

Are there any early signs of diabetes?

Diabetes has some early signs such as –

  • Extreme hunger.
  • Fatigue and tiredness.
  • Loss of stamina.
  • Dry mouth and extreme thirst.
  • Urinating more than ever.

How can you manage diabetes?

Intake of insulin – This becomes mandatory for people with Type 1 diabetes. They have to take insulin through pen, injection, or pump.

  • There are various types of insulin-like –
  • Rapid-acting insulin lasts for a couple of hours and starts working within 15 minutes.
  • Regular insulin lasts for 3-4 hours and starts acting within thirty minutes of application.
  • Intermediate insulin lasts up to 17- 18 hours and starts working within 2 hours of application.
  • Long-lasting insulin shows results within two hours of application and lasts up to a day.
  • Ultra long-lasting insulin starts to show its results within 1-2 hours of application and lasts up to two days.

Medicines and Drugs –
People who suffer from type 2 diabetes are recommended medication. There are medicines available according to the problem. For instance, some drugs assist the production of insulin production. At the same time, others reduce the blood sugar level. The doctor prescribes the medicine according to the patient’s problem.

Proper diet and eating pattern –
You need to follow a proper meal plan and eat on time. The Mediterranean diet is recommended to a diabetic patient. You could change your eating pattern and eat every meal on time. Too much gap between meals or overeating might be harmful to a diabetic person.

Regular Exercise –
Working out, maintaining proper weight is mandatory for a diabetic person. In fact, with proper exercise and meals, you can cure prediabetes and gestational diabetes.

So, this was it for this blog. We hope that you found it informative. You may read the blog and visit the doctor if you find it needful. Otherwise, follow a good lifestyle pattern and be strong. Then, you will never face any issues.

Content Reviewed by – Asian Hospital Medical Editors

 

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