diabities, diabetes info, diabetes effects,diabetes two,dibetes | Diabities | Diabetes

Diabities | Diabetes

What is Diabetes Mellitus?


Diabetes mellitus, or more commonly referred to as DIABETES, and also as diabities, is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above what we consider normal levels. A majority of the food we consume is converted in the body into glucose which is subsequently utilised as energy by the body. The pancreas is an organ in the body which produces a hormone called insulin which helps the movement of glucose into the body cells.  Diabetes is a situation whereby either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body is not responsive to the effect of insulin. This in turn causes the build-up of sugar in your blood.

This build-up of sugar in your blood in the long term is bad for the body, and leads ultimately to a higher chance of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and problems with blood flow to the lower limbs, leading to amputations.

What are the signs symptoms of diabetes?

 The usual symptoms in an undiagnosed diabetic are:

    * Frequent urination
    * Excessive thirst
    * Unexplained weight loss
    * Extreme hunger
    * Sudden vision changes
    * Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
    * Feeling very tired much of the time
    * Sores that are slow to heal
    * More infections than usual.
What are the types of Diabities Mellitus?

 
Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabities. Type 2 diabetes (diabetes two), which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabities, may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over. Other specific types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases of diabities.


Am I at risk of getting diabetes?

 You have a higher chance of getting Type 2 Diabetes (Diabetes Two) if you fall any or all of these categories:

   1. Overweight
   2. Older
   3. Physically less active
   4. Family history of diabetes
   5. Previously had diabetes in pregnancy
   6. Have been known to have a problem of impaired glucose tolerance
   7. Belong to certain races: Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Indians, Pacific Islanders.

Type 1 Diabetes have less obvious risk factors, but it is thought that certain genetic, autoimmune and environmental factors are involved.

Certain people may get diabetes as a result of surgery, certain medicines or drugs, malnutrition, infections and other illnesses.
Is there a Cure for Diabetes?

 NOT AT THE PRESENT MOMENT

However one can control the disease.

Lifestyle Changes: Recommended are healthy living, dieting and reduction of calorie-rich foods, and physical activity.

 
Type I diabetics will need insulin, and the amount of insulin given will need to be closely monitored together with the blood glucose levels in order to achieve an optimum control.

Type 2 diabetics will either not require any medication if the diabetes is mild, or will require oral medication, or insulin, or both.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.

Of paramount importance is a particular blood test that needs to be done frequently and will give an indication of whether the diabetic condition is well controlled.

This is the HbA1c (sometimes known as Glycated Hemoglobin or diabetes a1c).  This test indicates whether your diabetic management was well controlled or not in the previous 4 – 8 weeks.  The normal level of diabetes a1c is up to 6.4% in normal persons.  Diabetics ideally should strive to get their diabetes a1c down to 6.5% if possible.

 

testing sugar blood level

testing sugar blood level

Testing for Diabetes

 The popularly done fasting sugar blood level is considered good for the diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus, where nowadays a level of less than 5.5 mmol/L is considered normal.  However the sugar blood level, whether done fasting or at random, is not considered of much use in deciding whether the control of diabetes is good or not.  This is because the sugar blood level is so easily manipulated.  For example you may want to present a good picture of a well-controlled diabetic to your doctor.  What do you do?  You simply fast a little bit longer.  The sugar blood level obviously will drop, and a misleading picture results with you looking like a well-controlled diabetic.  Thus the diabetes a1c level, which does not change immediately, is considered to be a better indicator of control of diabities.

Management of your diabetic state is not confined to your primary care doctor.  Certain situations may require him to refer you to other disciplines.

For example, poorly controlled diabetics may need to see endocrinologists, as well as dieticians and diabetic educators for the day-to-day management.  Eye examinations may need to be done by ophthalmologists to determine if the eye is affected.  Kidney failure will need to be managed by a renal physician.  If strokes or heart attacks should occur, or if amputations become necessary for the lower limbs (which are a common problem in the poorly-managed diabetic), the appropriate healthcare personnel will need to be involved.

 The above is just a brief introduction to info on diabetes, and it is hoped that the reader has made aware of the magnitude of the problems faced if a person is suffering from diabeties.