A Simple Guide to Diabetes Mellitus
-------------------------------------------
What is Diabetes?
---------------------
Diabetes mellitus literally means sweet urine.
It is a common chronic disease which happens when the hormone insulin produced by the pancreas is missing, lacking or not working well.
Insulin unlocks the cell to allow glucose from the bloodstream to enter the body cells for usage or storage.
When this mechanism fail, the high amount of glucose in the blood leads to the glucose being spilt over into the urine, causing diabetes.
What are the different types of diabetes?
-----------------------------------------
The main types of diabetes are
1.Type 1
2.Type 2.
Type 1 occurs commonly in children and young adults although it may occur at any age.
It is more serious because there is practically no insulin produced due to damaged pancreatic cells and therefore insulin injections is needed for treatment.
The cause is unknown.
Complications are more sudden and life-threatening.
Type 2 is more common.
It is found in
1.adults over 40 years old,
2.overweight and
3.physically inactive.
The insulin produced is not enough or may not be working effectively.
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by proper dieting and exercise.
Most Type 2 diabetics will also need oral medication.
Gestational diabetes occurs only in pregnancy but may be an indicator of diabetes later in life
What are the risk factors for diabetes?
----------------------------------------------
Diabetes is more likely to occur if you have:
1.Obesity (body mass index > 23)
2.family history of diabetes
3.hypertension (>140/90 mmHg)
4.previous gestational diabetes
5.Coronary heart disease
6.polycystic ovary disease
7.Hyperlipidemia(high blood cholesterol >5.2 mmol or 220mg/dl and
tryglycerides >2.30)
8.Inadequate regular exercise
9.age above 40 years,more common in males than females
10.smoking habit
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes?
-------------------------------------------------------
The following symptoms are typical of diabetes:
1.frequent thirst even after drinking lots of water
2.passing more frequent urine during day and night
3.weight loss while having good appetite
4.constant tiredness
5.poor healing of skin wounds
6.itchy skin particularly around the genital area
7.constant hunger
8.blurred vision
Note that some diabetics may not experience any symptoms at all.
How do you made the diagnosis of Diabetes?
----------------------------------------------------
Blood glucose test:
1.Random blood glucose (anytime) is 11.1mmol/l or higher
2.Fasting blood glucose (after 8 hours of overnight fast) is 7.0mmol/l or higher.
3.Oral 75g Glucose Tolerance Test show presence of diabetes
How does diabetes cause complications in the body?
--------------------------------------------------------------
The high blood glucose concentration in diabetes reduces the blood flow to many organs and nerves resulting in many organ damage especially the kidney, heart, brain, eyes and nerves.
The high blood glucose allows germs to proliferate because the glucose provides nutrition to the germs.
All these lead to many serious complications:
1.high blood pressure,
2.heart attack,
3.stroke,
4.kidney failure,
5.blindness,
6.impotence,
7.numbness of hands and feet,
8.infections with poor healing,
9.wounds on feet that do not heal
10.coma,
Treatment of Diabetes will dealt with in the Part 2.
-------------------------------------------
What is Diabetes?
---------------------
Diabetes mellitus literally means sweet urine.
It is a common chronic disease which happens when the hormone insulin produced by the pancreas is missing, lacking or not working well.
Insulin unlocks the cell to allow glucose from the bloodstream to enter the body cells for usage or storage.
When this mechanism fail, the high amount of glucose in the blood leads to the glucose being spilt over into the urine, causing diabetes.
What are the different types of diabetes?
-----------------------------------------
The main types of diabetes are
1.Type 1
2.Type 2.
Type 1 occurs commonly in children and young adults although it may occur at any age.
It is more serious because there is practically no insulin produced due to damaged pancreatic cells and therefore insulin injections is needed for treatment.
The cause is unknown.
Complications are more sudden and life-threatening.
Type 2 is more common.
It is found in
1.adults over 40 years old,
2.overweight and
3.physically inactive.
The insulin produced is not enough or may not be working effectively.
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by proper dieting and exercise.
Most Type 2 diabetics will also need oral medication.
Gestational diabetes occurs only in pregnancy but may be an indicator of diabetes later in life
What are the risk factors for diabetes?
----------------------------------------------
Diabetes is more likely to occur if you have:
1.Obesity (body mass index > 23)
2.family history of diabetes
3.hypertension (>140/90 mmHg)
4.previous gestational diabetes
5.Coronary heart disease
6.polycystic ovary disease
7.Hyperlipidemia(high blood cholesterol >5.2 mmol or 220mg/dl and
tryglycerides >2.30)
8.Inadequate regular exercise
9.age above 40 years,more common in males than females
10.smoking habit
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes?
-------------------------------------------------------
The following symptoms are typical of diabetes:
1.frequent thirst even after drinking lots of water
2.passing more frequent urine during day and night
3.weight loss while having good appetite
4.constant tiredness
5.poor healing of skin wounds
6.itchy skin particularly around the genital area
7.constant hunger
8.blurred vision
Note that some diabetics may not experience any symptoms at all.
How do you made the diagnosis of Diabetes?
----------------------------------------------------
Blood glucose test:
1.Random blood glucose (anytime) is 11.1mmol/l or higher
2.Fasting blood glucose (after 8 hours of overnight fast) is 7.0mmol/l or higher.
3.Oral 75g Glucose Tolerance Test show presence of diabetes
How does diabetes cause complications in the body?
--------------------------------------------------------------
The high blood glucose concentration in diabetes reduces the blood flow to many organs and nerves resulting in many organ damage especially the kidney, heart, brain, eyes and nerves.
The high blood glucose allows germs to proliferate because the glucose provides nutrition to the germs.
All these lead to many serious complications:
1.high blood pressure,
2.heart attack,
3.stroke,
4.kidney failure,
5.blindness,
6.impotence,
7.numbness of hands and feet,
8.infections with poor healing,
9.wounds on feet that do not heal
10.coma,
Treatment of Diabetes will dealt with in the Part 2.
