Diabetes , Causes , Symptoms and Treatment .

Diabetes:-

                           

             Diabetes is a medical condition wherein the body accumulates sugar more than the permissible limits. Food eaten by us is converted into blood sugar or blood glucose. This blood glucose or blood sugar is the source of energy of the body. This blood sugar is absorbed by the cells of the body with the help of insulin. The insulin is produced in the pancreas.

When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to transfer blood sugar to cells of the body or in some cases insulin does not respond to the body cells then blood sugar begins to accumulate in the blood. This build-up sugar in the body over a limit creates a medical condition known as Diabetes.

The high blood sugar level is very dangerous and toxic as it can damage many organs of the body like the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. Body cells also do not get the energy they need to function properly leading to other health issues.

Causes:-

             

There are different types of diabetes that include mainly type 1 and type 2.

Type1 - The immune system of the body attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas for unknown reasons as the results release of insulin is either stopped or become less. Nearly 10% of patients are affected by type1 diabetes.

Type2 - Accumulation of sugar in the blood when not enough insulin is made in the body. It creates dangerous medical conditions. It is also a condition of insulin resistance as the body fails to use insulin efficiently. This may be due to factors like overweight, no exercise and there may be genetic causes also.

Gestational diabetes - During pregnancy, some women develop high blood sugar levels. This occurs when a pregnant body produces some hormones that block the insulin.

Prediabetes - A condition in which blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes of type 2

Symptoms:-

Frequent urination.:- When sugar in the blood goes up and the kidney may not be able to filter all of it as the result body makes more urine and fluid and the patient has to go for urination more often.

Fatigue:- Since the body cells are not able to absorb all the energy that is the glucose made from the food we eat, the patient feels tired or lack of energy.

Feeling very hungry and thirsty:- body cells do not get energy from the glucose made from food, the body demands energy which makes the patients feel hungry quite often. Since the kidney makes more urine the body needs more fluids as the result the patients feel more thirsty.

Blurry vision:- Lenses in the eyes of the patients swell up due to the changing level of fluids in the body, this causes blurred vision .

Wounds take time to heal:- The healing process in the sugar patients becomes slow as high blood sugar disturbs blood flow and that causes damage to nerves. 

Weight loss:- Since the body does not get energy from the food it starts burning muscles and fat to get energy, as a result, the patient may lose weight despite eating normally.

Numbness in hands or feet. Tingling:- This is also caused by nerve damage as stated above.

Nausea and Vomiting:- In the process of burning fat to get energy the body makes ketones that may get accumulated in the blood to a dangerous level which might even be life-threatening.

Symptoms of Diabetes in an infant or child:- 

Sometimes young children develop symptoms of type 1 diabetes.  Urinating frequently, weight loss, drinking large quantities of water, showing up tiredness bedwetting, and illness are some of the early symptoms. 

Children with diabetes can be in diabetic ketoacidosis ( DKA ). It is a condition of lack of insulin in the body of the child as the result there is a high level of a build-up of an acid called ketones. This condition requires hospitalization and treatment. Some children may start making insulin and resume normal life but regular checks are necessary to watch the sugar level in the body.

Treatment:-

Medical science has yet to establish the real cause of insulin deficiency. 

In the case of type 1  diabetes patients, they have to take artificial insulin daily to stay alive but only if diagnosed by a doctor. 

In the case of type 2 patient's body still makes insulin but the cells do not respond to it as they should and this happens gradually.  Change in lifestyle can restore the normal condition. 

Weight loss measures including exercises are recommended to maintain overall health

A patient can seek the help of a specialist to lead an active and balanced lifestyle.

Avoiding high sugar content food and eating whole grain food, vegetables, and fruits.

Avoiding alcohalic drinks.

Being careful of low blood sugar while exercising. 

As per the advice of the doctor, the sugar patient has to take a regular dose of insulin to keep the blood sugar level under control. 

                                   The aim of this blog is only to inform the people about diabetes disease and to create awareness so that they can take early steps to avoid any serious conditions. Patients should get in touch with an expert medical professional as soon as possible and act only on his or her advice.