How well do you understand diabetes? You're probably aware that it's a medical condition in which a person's body is unable to control the amount of sugar (or glucose) in their blood. You may have also heard or read somewhere that people with diabetes must watch what they eat and take insulin shots/medications to stay healthy. The question is, what causes this condition? What can we do to avoid it? How can we handle diabetes if it is unavoidable? Join me on this brief ride as I attempt to answer those questions, as well as any others you may have.
What Is Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which causes serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves over time.
In Africa, diabetes affects over 24 million adults. Diabetes is thought to affect over 450 million people worldwide (as of 2019). Millions more are thought to be infected but are asymptomatic or undiagnosed. Diabetes diagnoses are expected to rise precipitously in the coming years and decades, as an obesity epidemic spreads at an alarming rate.
Diabetes management entails more than just medications. Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, can prevent prediabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes, as well as reverse many of the disease's pathological effects and progression. Diabetes, regardless of type, is caused by having too much glucose circulating in your bloodstream. However, the cause of your high blood glucose levels varies depending on the type of diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
1. Type 1 Diabetes
2. Type 2 Diabetes
3. Gestational Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is distinguished by autoimmunity towards pancreatic beta-cells, which normally generate insulin; in other words, type 1 diabetes is distinguished by a lack of insulin. To treat type 1 diabetes, insulin must constantly be provided.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and is largely caused by poor nutrition, obesity, and a lack of exercise. Ninety percent of patient instances are due to type 2 diabetes. The remaining 10% is made up of type 1 diabetes and other diabetic conditions such as gestational diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes occurs when you're diagnosed with diabetes for the first-time during pregnancy. Usually, women who have gestational diabetes are likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes are on the increase in all age groups; however, since they develop slowly over many years, one may not detect any signs at all. Symptoms normally appear when you're an adult. These symptoms include, but are not limited to
Increased thirst,
Frequent urination,
Weakness/fatigue,
Blurred vision,
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet,
Slow-healing sores or cuts,
Unexplained weight loss,
Frequent unexplained infections, and
Dry mouth.
Complications From Diabetes
Diabetes if left untreated i.e., if the blood glucose level stays high for an extended length of time, problems might emerge, causing harm to bodily tissues and organs. Some of these issues may be fatal over time.
Cardiovascular difficulties,
Nerve damage (neuropathy),
Kidney damage (nephropathy),
Foot ulcer,
Erectile dysfunction,
Hearing loss, and dementia are all possible complications.
Diabetes crises, such as ketoacidosis, are treated with insulin. There are many insulins therapy options available. Insulin is classified based on how long it remains active. As an example:
Insulins that work quickly - normal insulin, lispro, and glulisine
Intermediate-acting - insulin zinc; isophane insulin
Long-acting insulins include insulin glargine and insulin detemir.
Insulin side effects include hypoglycemia and hypokalemia.
Treatment of Diabetes
"Sensitizers" and "Secretagogues" are the two groups of oral anti-diabetic drugs based on how they aid diabetic patients.
1. Stimulants
Insulin sensitizer medications are used to treat insulin resistance. They function by boosting the body's insulin sensitivity. They increase skeletal muscle glucose uptake while decreasing intestinal glucose absorption. The two primary classes in this group are biguanides (metformin) and thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone).
2. Secretagogues
Secretagogues, as the name implies, enhance insulin secretion: The primary kinds are sulfonylureas (gliclazide) and meglitinides (repaglinide), which both operate on the same target, the potassium-ATP channel of beta cells. They do, however, behave at various points along the channel. When potassium channels are closed, calcium channels open, resulting in increased insulin production.
Management of Diabetes
Behavioral interventions are also necessary for the treatment of established diabetes. One of the cornerstones of diabetic treatment is nutritional therapy. Failure to attain and maintain glycemic objectives is often linked to difficulties in adopting and adhering to dietary guidelines. Exercise has been demonstrated to enhance insulin sensitivity, weight management, and cardiovascular risk profiles.
To control your blood glucose levels, you must balance what you eat and drink with physical exercise and, if necessary, diabetic medication. What you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat are all essential factors in maintaining your blood glucose level within the range recommended by your healthcare provider.
Getting more active and changing your eating and drinking habits might be difficult at first. It may be simpler to begin with little adjustments and seek assistance from family, friends, and your health care team.
Eat healthily and exercise
Maintain your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels within your goal limits.
Lose or maintain a healthy weight
Avoid postponing diabetic complications. Treat them on time.
If you have diabetes and are overweight or obese, you should aim to shed any additional weight before becoming pregnant. Feel free to collaborate with us to help you manage diabetes effectively.
That's all for now; until next time, remember to comment, like, and share with a friend!
Great. Wonderful write up. Thank you so much.