DIABETES
Diabetes is slowly becoming a problem that is affecting most countries in the world. It is a chronic condition in which there is an increase in sugar level (hyperglycemia) because of either a decreased level of insulin production in the body or the body’s inability to utilize the insulin produced in the body which is known as insulin resistance and sometimes both condition together can also cause diabetes.
Organ producing insulin: ß-cell of the islet of Langerhans of Pancreas.
CLASSIFICATION OF DIABETES:-
Type 1 diabetes: It occurs when the ß-cell of the pancreas is destroyed which can be due to the immune system of the body or maybe due to some unknown causes hence in type 1 diabetic patients insulin is either not produced at all or produced at a low level.
Mostly seen in younger people with the age group of fewer than 30 years.
Type 2 diabetes: It occurs when the body is either not able to produce enough insulin or is not able to utilize the insulin produced in the body.
Mostly seen in people with an age group of more than 30 years.
Gestational diabetes: It is a condition in which pregnant women develop high blood sugar levels.
RISK FACTOR OF DIABETES :
1) Obesity
2) Family history of diabetes
3) Sugar-rich food and drinks
4) Old age
5) Hypertension, high cholesterol level, and other cardiac-related problems
6) Sedentary or inactive lifestyle.
7) Alcohol
8) Stressful life
9) Some medicines like steroids and diuretics are linked to increased blood sugar too.
10) Some diseases like Cushing’s, and hyperthyroidism are known to be associated with diabetes.
11) Pancreatic diseases like pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and other pancreas-related diseases.
12) Liver diseases
INSULIN :
Insulin is secreted by the ß-cell of the islet of Langerhans of the Pancreas. It plays a very important role in controlling the blood sugar level of our body.
Insulin is released after a few minutes of when we start taking our food and is released
in a biphasic manner which means after the initial release of insulin when we take food the level of insulin goes down in our body and then it increases to its maximum level and remains at that level till the glucose level is high in our blood.
How insulin works in our body :
After getting released from the pancreas, insulin binds to the receptor of the target cell, and as soon as it binds the glucose intake by the cells increases tremendously. This process is mostly seen in the muscles and adipose or fat tissue.
As soon as glucose enters the cells a phosphate group is added to glucose which is known as phosphorylation and this is an important process because this addition of phosphate to glucose prevents glucose from going back into circulation.
Our muscles are generally not permeable to glucose, so without any help glucose cannot enter into the muscle from our blood circulation.
For helping glucose to enter into muscle insulin is needed.
If we do exercise then the entry of glucose inside the muscle can occur even in the absence of insulin.
After entering the muscle if glucose is not utilized by the muscle then glucose is changed and stored in the form of glycogen which can be later used by muscle to produce energy.
One of the major roles of insulin is that when we eat food the glucose level in our body is high and insulin helps the glucose to be stored in our liver in the form of glycogen when the glucose level is decreased in our body then this glycogen is broken into glucose to be utilized by the body.
If a person is leading an inactive lifestyle then the body converts this glucose into fatty acid and this fatty acid undergoes further conversion to be finally stored as fat.
What happens when insulin quantity is less in the body :
Till now we have seen how insulin helps in controlling the blood glucose level of our body, now we will look at what happens when the insulin level drops down.
1) With a decrease in insulin level, the blood sugar level will increase in our body which leads to diabetes.
2) In the deficiency or absence of insulin, the fat stored in the body starts breaking down which results in the formation of phospholipids and cholesterol. These two substances are formed in the liver and are transferred back into the blood and they along with triglycerides start getting deposited in blood vessels. This deposition is known as atherosclerosis which can lead to obstruction of blood flow in areas where they develop and if developed in areas around blood vessels of the heart then they can lead to heart disease.
3) If the insulin level decreases too much or insulin is not produced in the body then the fat will be broken down too much and this extra amount of fatty acid can not be utilized by the body which can lead to the production of ketone bodies and hence acidosis occurs which is a serious condition. Patients can develop diabetic ketoacidosis which can lead to coma and even death.
OBESITY AND DIABETES :
One of the serious risk factors for diabetes is the excess weight of the individual. Most obese people have a high level of triglycerides inside the muscles and also in the liver. These triglycerides do not let insulin act on the muscles. This is known as insulin resistance and hence glucose is not allowed to enter the muscles and liver and so blood sugar level increases leading to diabetes.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS :
POLYURIA: It means excessive urination. Due to an increasing amount of glucose in the urine, the reabsorption of water and sodium does not occur and hence the patient feels excessive urination.
POLYDIPSIA: it means excessive thirst. Due to excess urination, there is extra water loss from the patient and this makes the patient dehydrated and increases the thirst which makes the patient drink extra water.
DELAYED WOUND HEALING: If a patient has diabetes then the wound takes extra time to heal.
Other symptoms which present later are:
1) Difficulty in vision or complete loss of vision if diabetes is not controlled.
2) The patient feels tired most of the time because the body is not able to utilize the glucose present in the blood to produce energy.
3) loss of weight is seen in the patient because of the breaking down of the fat.
4) Tingling and numbness in the peripheries mostly in lower limbs.
DIAGNOSIS :
1) Fasting blood test which should be done in the morning before the patient takes breakfast or sugar-containing drink.
2) A postprandial blood sugar test should be done two hours after the meal.
3) HbA1C
4) Urine routine test
5) Other important blood tests to be done if a patient is diabetic are :
Lipid profile test, liver function test, kidney function test
6) ECG should be done too.
7) Eye tests should be done periodically to prevent any visual complications.
8) A diabetic patient’s foot examination should be done periodically to check for any wound or ulcer that is not healing. This can help preserve the patient’s legs.
PREVENTION OF DIABETES :
1) Keeping the weight in control is very important so that insulin resistance does not develop.
2) An active life is important which means patients should do at least half-hour of brisk walking or some form of physical training to increase the utilization of glucose by the body to keep blood glucose in control.
3) Following a strict diet is important so that the carbohydrates in food do not increase the blood sugar level.
4) Decreasing the sugar intake. Many soft drinks have a high content of sugar, so they should be avoided.
5) Avoiding alcohol and smoking.
6) Should take at least seven to eight hours of sleep and try to lead a stress-free life. This can help in the control of sugar levels.
7) If suffering from other diseases like hypertension, high cholesterol level, or thyroid disease then the patient should take medication as advised by the doctor to keep these diseases under control as these diseases if not under control then blood sugar can increase.
8) White rice has more carbohydrates, so it should be avoided.
9) Dietary fiber-rich food, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain food should be included in the diet.
10) Oily and fatty food should be avoided.
MEDICATION :
1) Injectable insulin preparations are available like long-acting insulin, short-acting, or mixed type.
2) Oral glucose-lowering agents like Biguanides, sulfonylureas, DPP IV inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and Thiazolidinediones.
These and some more categories of anti-diabetic drugs are available which are prescribed by doctors according to a patient with a diabetic condition.
These and some more categories of anti-diabetic drugs are available which are prescribed by doctors according to a patient with a diabetic condition.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
It is important to lead a healthy and active life. Should eat healthy food and keep your weight in control.
If suffering from diabetes then the patient should take medicines as prescribed by the doctor.
A diabetic patient should get their eyes and feet properly checked.
TAKE CARE AND STAY FIT.
FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG FOR MEDICAL-RELATED INFORMATION.
Informative and very well explained doctor .