Diabetes

A much familiar term from the medical dictionary. Atleast 1 person whom you know, may be suffering from it. Diabetes is a 'ghost rider' as there are many other ailments associated with it. Many of us might not be aware of a few facts which we must know about this condition.



First of all, let us see how it affects us? To know this we need to learn about the types of diabetes

Types of Diabetes
There are two types

• Diabetes Insipidus
• Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes insipidus is a condition caused by vassopressin or Anti-Diuretic Hormone charecterised by excessive thirst and excretion of large amounts of severely diluted urine. This condition is of less relevance here.

Diabetes Mellitus which is commonly referred to as 'Diabetes' is of much more relevance due to its rising numberof cases in the world. Diabetes Mellitus (from here on will be referred as DM) is of two types

• DM Type I
• DM Type II

DM type 1 (insulin dependant) results from the autoimmune destruction of the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas more or less due to genetic susceptibility, a trigger and exposure to a driving antigen. The classical symptoms being polydipsia (thirstiness), polyurea (increased urination) and polyphagia (increased hunger) and weight loss. In the long run it is fatal unless treated with insulin.

DM Type 2 (formerly non insulin dependant) is a metabolic disorder possibly due to a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors and is charecterized by high glucose due to insulin resistance or relative insulin deficiency. Please note that in DM Type 1 above there is no insulin but here is decreased compared to the high amount of glucose in the blood. Often seen in obese patients but can be managed by exercise lifestyle modifications and avoiding stress. And if the condition continues further one may require to take medications.

Complications of Diabetes

Effects can be seen on 

• Heart
• Eye Sight
• Kidneys
• Blood Circulation
• Blood Pressure

Diabetes is diagnosed by Glucose Tolerance Test in which the blood sugar levels are checked.

Prevention of Type 2 DM
Onset of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented through proper nutrition and regular exercise. Intensive lifestyle measures may reduce the risk by over half. Evidence for the benefit of dietary changes alone however is limited. In those with impaired glucose tolerance diet and exercise and/or metformin or acarbose may decrease the risk of developing diabetes. Lifestyle interventions are more effective than metformin.