Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes causes blood glucose (sugar in the blood), to rise to abnormal high levels.
Why does this happens?
When insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas does not function correctly or does not function at all, the body cannot use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates in the food that you eat for energy or to store glucose for future use. Insulin is responsible to maintain your blood sugar levels from getting too high (hyperglycemia).
If there is a high shortage of insulin, the fat stores may be used excessively leading to a state referred as ketoacidosis (where the body produces too much ketones). If this is not treated, it could lead to the individual falling into coma and eventually death.
There are two distinct forms of the disease, Diabetes Type 1 & Type 2.
Type 1
This is when the beta-cells in the pancreas completely or partially fail to produce insulin. This may be caused by genetic factors, autoimmune disease or certain viruses and it can develop at any age.
Type 2
This is when the insulin is produced but in either insufficient or in an ineffective form. This state is called insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and is associated with being overweight and having a sedentary lifestyle.
Video Author credits to: Carb Loaded
Diagnosis
Blood glucose test:
Diabetes Symptoms
Increase levels of urine
Unexplained weight loss
Blurred vision
Thirst
Fatigue and weakness
Hunger
Ketoacidosis Symptoms
Shortness of breath, Breath that smells fruity, nausea and vomiting and Very dry mouth.
Helpful tips you can start doing
If you’ve got any of the symptoms:
1. Check your blood glucose.
2. Get an accurate diagnosis if you’ve got Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
3. If you’ve got type 1 diabetes you will need to visit a dietitian.
4. Type 2 diabetes may be improved with the help of a registered nutritionist.
5. If you have family history with diabetes it is recommended to monitor your blood glucose annually.
6. If you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle, smoking is not recommended.
Causes
Type 1: can be cause by genetic factors, autoimmune disease, but its exact cause is poorly understood.
Type 2: this type is more closely linked with obesity and genetics factors and it tends to develop in middle age, however, with higher levels of obesity it is now being seen in younger adults and children.
What if you don’t treat diabetes on time?
It could develop in any of the following:
Diabetic retinopathy – may cause blindness
Diabetic nephropathy – may damage the kidneys
Diabetic neuropathy – may cause nerve damage
Cardiovascular disease – may increases your risk to have heart disease.
Interesting facts:
If you have a vitamin D deficiency, you're more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Why? Many studies suggest today that vitamin D helps your body produce hormones that regulate your blood sugar. Without it, your blood sugar is more likely to fluctuate and spiral out of control.
Why is there excess urination during diabetes? If hyperglycaemia is higher than the renal threshold, excess glucose will pass into the urine which is known as glycosuria. This increases amount of urine known as polyuria.
Lifestyle intervention can reduce incidence of diabetes by up to 58%.