HomeHealth articlesdiabetic retinopathyHave You Been Diagnosed With Diabetes? Read This To Know What Next

Have You Been Diagnosed With Diabetes? Read This To Know What Next

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Have You Been Diagnosed With Diabetes? Read This To Know What Next

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Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects the way our body uses blood sugar. Learn about the types, symptoms, and treatment of diabetes here.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Preetha. J

Published At June 26, 2015
Reviewed AtMarch 12, 2024

What Is Diabetes?

A metabolic condition called diabetes mellitus results in elevated blood sugar levels. The human body is either unable to use the insulin it produces efficiently or is not producing enough of it. Cells absorb sugar from the blood and store it or use it as fuel due to the hormone insulin. If this fails, one might have diabetes. Diabetes-related high blood sugar that is left untreated can harm the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and other organs. However, people can safeguard their health by learning about diabetes and engaging in action to prevent or control it.

What Are the Types of Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes comes in several forms:

  • Type 1: Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune condition. The cells of the pancreas, which produce insulin, are attacked and destroyed by the immune system. The cause of this attack remains unknown.

  • Type 2: Blood sugar levels rise, and insulin resistance develops in people with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent kind, affecting between 90 % and 95 % of those with the disease.

  • Gestational Diabetes: Pregnancy-related elevated blood sugar is known as gestational diabetes. This kind of diabetes is brought on by hormones that the placenta produces that block insulin.

Other forms of diabetes include type c diabetes, neonatal diabetes, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY).

What Exactly Causes Diabetes?

Any form of diabetes is brought on by an excess of glucose in the blood. Nevertheless, the cause of elevated blood glucose levels varies according to the type of diabetes individuals have. Causes may include pancreatic damage, genetic changes, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalance, and insulin resistance.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus?

Symptoms of diabetes include:

  • Increase in urinary frequency (polyuria).

  • Loss of weight.

  • Tiredness.

  • Lethargy, loss of interest, and concentration.

  • Increased appetite (polyphagia).

  • Excessive thirst (polydipsia).

  • Abnormal sensation or numbness in palms and feet.

  • Recurrent infections.

  • Delay in wound healing.

  • A feeling of dryness in the mouth.

What Is the Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus?

Using a blood test, medical professionals can diagnose diabetes by looking at the blood sugar level. There are three ways to determine the blood sugar level:

  • Fasting Blood Glucose Test: One must fast for a minimum of eight hours before the test. It is normal if the fasting blood sugar level is below 100 milligrams per deciliter (5.6 mmol/L). If the fasting blood sugar level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L), it indicates prediabetes. One has diabetes if the result is 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or greater on two different tests.

  • Random Blood Sugar Test: This test can be performed at any time. If the result is above 200 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) or 11.1 millimoles per liter, it indicates diabetes.

  • Glycated Hemoglobin Test: This blood test displays the mean blood sugar level over the previous two to three months and does not require anyone to fast for any length of time. The amount of hemoglobin that is linked to sugar increases with blood sugar levels. People have diabetes if two separate tests yield an A1C result of 6.5 percent or greater. If A1C is 5.7 percent to 6.4 percent, they are considered to have prediabetes. Less than 5.7 % is regarded as standard.

What Are the Complications of Diabetes Mellitus?

There are two types of complications, namely acute and chronic complications.

Acute Complications: These include the sudden occurrences of life-threatening complications like hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

  • Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS): Individuals with type 2 diabetes are primarily susceptible to this consequence. It occurs when blood sugar levels are abnormally high for an extended length of time, which causes extreme dehydration and disorientation. It needs medical attention right away.

  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Diabetes has a major side effect called diabetic ketoacidosis. This occurs when the human body starts burning fat as the cells lack energy. This process leads to the formation of ketones, which leads to this complication.

  • Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar: When the glucose level falls below what is considered normal, hypoglycemia occurs. It primarily affects insulin-using diabetics. Seizures, clumsiness, confusion, and double or blurred vision are among the symptoms.

Chronic Complications:

Occurs after many years of onset of diabetes. Prolonged elevation in blood sugar causes damage to blood vessels, leading to following complications.

  • Diabetic retinopathy (retinal damage leading to blindness).

  • Diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage causes chronic kidney failure).

  • Diabetic nephropathy (abnormal or decreased sensation in the skin).

  • Cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart leading to heart failure).

  • Diabetic myonecrosis (wasting of muscles).

  • Diabetic foot (formation of skin ulcers, infection, and gangrene).

  • Diabetic encephalopathy (damage to brain cells may cause dementia).

How Is Diabetes Managed?

Some of the aspects of managing diabetes are as follows-

  • Blood Sugar Monitoring: Keeping track of blood sugar will help to check the effectiveness of the present treatment plan.

  • Oral Diabetes Drugs: Oral diabetes medications assist in controlling blood sugar levels in individuals who still make some insulin. Also, oral medicine may be necessary for those with gestational diabetes.

  • Insulin: Individuals with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections. There are numerous varieties of insulin available, such as intermediate, long-acting, rapid-acting, and short-acting insulin. Insulin cannot be administered orally to reduce blood sugar levels because stomach enzymes impede the insulin's ability to function. An insulin pen or a thin needle and syringe are commonly used to inject insulin.

  • Diet: Diet plays a key role in the management of diabetes. Limiting the intake of carbohydrates and consuming a balanced and healthy diet is crucial.

  • Exercise: Involvement in physical activity reduces insulin resistance and enhances its sensitivity.

How May Diabetes Be Avoided?

Diabetes, in its autoimmune and hereditary variants, cannot be avoided. However, there are certain actions individuals may take to reduce the likelihood of getting type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes, such as:

  • Consume a nutritious diet.

  • Engage in physical activity.

  • Strive to reach a healthy weight.

  • Control the stress.

  • Restrict the amount of alcohol consumption.

  • Make sure to get enough sleep, roughly seven to nine hours.

  • Give up smoking.

  • To reduce the current risk of heart disease, take prescription drugs as prescribed by the physician.

Diabetic Care:

If individuals are diagnosed as diabetic, they should always remember the below key points.

  • To identify hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia (i.e., high and low sugar levels).

  • Reasons for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

  • Management of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

  • Eye Care - Regular eye examinations by an ophthalmologist, maintaining hygiene while washing the eyes, avoiding self-medication, and seeking medical attention quickly if there is an eye infection or vision problem.

  • Foot Care - Always wear sandals or shoes that fit properly. Avoid going barefoot. Check the heel frequently for cracks, sores, cuts, etc. Use a gentle soap to cleanse the foot once a day. To prevent injury, take adequate safety measures when trimming nails.

  • Go for regular blood check-ups and consultations. Self-checking of blood glucose levels at home will also be helpful.

Conclusion:

Although receiving a diabetes diagnosis is a life-altering experience, it should not exclude individuals from leading a contented and wholesome life. Diabetes management calls for dedicated work and regular attention. Visit the physician regularly. Practice blood sugar monitoring at home and take the prescribed medications like Insulin or Metformin regularly without skipping them to avoid any complications that may arise.

Dr. Revathi. T. S.
Dr. Revathi. T. S.

Ayurveda Specialist

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foot carediabetic retinopathy
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