Diabetes

What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is vital for health because it's the main source of energy for your cells and brain.

If you have diabetes, you have too much glucose in your blood. This can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on how high your blood sugar is. Common signs include:

• Increased thirst (Polydipsia) and Frequent urination (Polyuria).
• Extreme hunger (Polyphagia).
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Blurred vision.
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections.
• Ketones in urine: A byproduct of muscle breakdown when there isn't enough insulin.

Types & Causes

Insulin is a hormone from the pancreas that lets sugar enter your cells. Diabetes happens when this process breaks down.

1. Type 1 Diabetes

An autoimmune reaction where the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells. The body produces little to no insulin. Patients need insulin injections to survive.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

The body becomes resistant to insulin, or the pancreas stops making enough. It is strongly linked to being overweight and inactive, but genetics also play a role.

3. Gestational Diabetes

Occurs during pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones that make cells resistant to insulin. It usually resolves after birth but increases the risk of Type 2 later.

4. Prediabetes

Blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be Type 2. It is a warning sign that can often be reversed with lifestyle changes.

Complications

Long-term high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves:

• Heart Disease: Increases risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Neuropathy (Nerve Damage): Tingling, numbness, or burning pain, usually starting in the toes.
• Nephropathy (Kidney Damage): Can lead to kidney failure requiring dialysis.
• Retinopathy (Eye Damage): Can damage blood vessels in the retina, leading to blindness.
• Foot Damage: Poor blood flow and nerve damage can lead to serious infections and even amputation.

Diagnosis

Doctors use the A1C Test to measure average blood sugar over the past 3 months:

• Normal: Below 5.7%
• Prediabetes: 5.7% – 6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

Treatment

Management depends on the type, but the goal is always to keep blood sugar in a target range.

1. Lifestyle (The Foundation)

• Healthy Eating: Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit refined carbs and sweets.
• Exercise: Aerobic activity lowers blood sugar by moving sugar into cells for energy.

2. Medications & Insulin

• Type 1: Requires Insulin (injections or pump).
• Type 2: May use oral meds (like Metformin) to improve insulin sensitivity, or eventually insulin if needed.

⚠️ WARNING: KNOW THE SIGNS
Hypoglycemia (Low Sugar): Sweating, shakiness, confusion, fainting. Treat immediately with fast sugar (juice/candy).
Hyperglycemia (High Sugar): Extreme thirst, frequent urination, fruity breath. Requires medication adjustment.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.