Diabetes Mellitus

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We have been hearing about diabetes quite often as now it’s a household disease. Diabetes Mellitus commonly known as ‘diabetes’ is a metabolic disease which usually occurs due to a disorder in the metabolism of a human body and that results in high blood sugar level. Metabolism of a body is mainly the process through which our body digests food for growth and energy. Whatever we consume is usually broken down into glucose which acts as a fuel in the body. Glucose is present in the blood and the body cells consume glucose with the help of a hormone known as insulin. Insulin is the only source which allows glucose to enter the cells. Pancreas produces Insulin and once we eat something it releases insulin to pass on glucose to the cells in the body and this is how the blood sugar level is maintained in the body.

Diabetes is a disease where the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or even sometimes no insulin. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the body cells do not respond to the insulin. This results in high glucose level in blood (Hyperglycemia) as the blood sugar is not properly absorbed by the body cells.  The excess blood sugar is then excretes out from the body in the form of urine where the body does not meet the growth and energy requirement. Diabetes produces symptoms of increased Hunger (Polyphagia), increased urination (Polyuria) and increased thirst (Polydipsia). There are three types of Diabetes Mellitus:

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: The pancreas produces no insulin at all in the body.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The pancreas produces not enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly in the body.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetes develops during pregnancy and finishes after the delivery of the baby.

RULE: Prevention is better than cure…

The first two types of Diabetes Mellitus are of chronic diseases and they cannot be cured 100%. They are importunate and perpetual in nature. Gestational Diabetes, as said earlier, goes with the birth of the baby.

For type 1 and 2 diabetes treatment is important. Injecting insulin for Type 1 Diabetes is highly recommended with some observance to dietary and exercise plans. For type 2 diabetic patients, special diet plans, tablets and exercises are a part of their treatment where sometimes the use of insulin injections is inevitable.

Many of the diabetic patients leave treatment as they think it cannot be cured. This is a wrong perception. Although this disease is not curable but to remain fit one has to take medication. Diabetic people who do not take medicine are significantly at a risk of various complications. Nonketotic Hypersosmolar Coma, Ketoacidosis and Hypoglycemia, are a few early stage complications witnessed in diabetic patients. Retinal damage leading to Glaucoma (not curable), heart diseases and kidney failures are some of the common long term repercussions of Diabetes. Furthermore, Poor healing of wounds and cuts, nerve damage, gangrene on feet is also an endowment of diabetes.

Healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, good sleep, regular exercise and medication can help in living on a better edge for Diabetics. So follow the rule and live a happy life.