Diabetes: All You Need To Know About This Chronic Disease
Diabetes: All You Need To Know About This Chronic Disease
Diabetes poses a pervasive threat to health and well-being.
It is one of the most pressing health concerns in modern society today, affecting millions of people worldwide.
With its rising prevalence, it’s very crucial for those affected and the general public to get adequate knowledge about it.
In this article, we’ll delve into the depths of this chronic illness, uncover its symptoms, causes, management, complications and strategies.
Follow along on this informative journey, as we shed more light on all you need to know about diabetes.
Diabetes: What Is It?
Diabetes is medically known as “Hyperglycaemia.”
Diabetes is a condition whereby the amount of circulating glucose in the blood is too high.
This is why it is otherwise called “high blood sugar” or “high blood glucose.”
Glucose is a type of sugar — which is the end product of carbohydrate digestion in your body.
Glucose is needed by your body as fuel for energy and it is carried through the bloodstream to every cell that needs it by the hormone called “insulin.”
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, in response to the presence of glucose in your blood.
Simply put, blood sugar control is a lock-key system.
Whereby, the glucose serves as the “agent” that needs the key (insulin), to open the lock (the cells in your body) in order to gain entry and perform its function.
Diabetes And Its Types
There are different types of diabetes but the common ones include:
Type 1 Diabetes:
This is also known as “juvenile diabetes” or “Insulin dependent”.
This type is mainly caused by the immune system, attacking the insulin-producing cells that are in your pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production at all.
The reason why this happens is unknown but genetic factors may play a role.
Currently, Type 1 diabetes has no cure, you have to take insulin regularly whether through injection or insulin pump.
Therefore, strict monitoring of the blood glucose level is required.
It usually occurs in children, teens and young adults but can as well happen to people of any age. Its onset is sudden and is detected at an early stage.
People with type 1 diabetes are about 10% of the total people living with diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes:
This is the most common type of diabetes.
It occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or when the cells aren't responding well to insulin, therefore, can't take in glucose.
It is also known as “insulin resistant.”
This may happen due to genetic factors, but lifestyle habits like obesity plays more of a role.
Type 2 diabetes is preventable and as well manageable through lifestyle changes and medications. There might probably be no need to take insulin.
About 80%-90% of people with diabetes suffer from type 2 diabetes. Which is more common in adults than children.
Gestational Diabetes:
This type occurs during pregnancy.
If you are overweight before getting pregnant, you are likely to get this type of diabetes.
It usually goes away after pregnancy, but you are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in future.
Gestational diabetes may also lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery.
It isn't safe for the baby as well as it may lead to increased birth weight, premature birth and increased risk of the baby developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Proper monitoring and basic lifestyle changes can help with this type of diabetes.
Prediabetes:
This type is also known as “borderline diabetes” or “impaired glucose tolerance.”
As the name implies, it occurs when your blood glucose level is higher than normal but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes.
This type is likely to develop into type 2 diabetes, if necessary management is not taken into consideration.
How People Get Diabetes: Causes and Risk Factors
The general cause of diabetes is having too much glucose in your blood. However, the factors responsible for this abnormality, depends on the type of diabetes.
Some of the risk factors include:
Autoimmune Disease:
As seen in type 1 diabetes, whereby the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Genetic Factors:
In a case where any member of your immediate or extended family has a history of diabetes, you are also at risk of having it.
Obesity/Overweight:
The build up of fat hinders insulin in carrying out its function properly.
Though, people with normal weight also have it, it may be caused by other factors.
Physical Inactivity:
Not being active enough, may lead to being overweight which in turn leads to diabetes.
Hormonal Imbalance:
As seen in gestational diabetes —the placenta releases hormones that cause insulin resistance.
High Blood Pressure:
People with hypertension usually come down with insulin resistance and also leads to various complications of diabetes.
Unhealthy Diet:
Eating more junk, processed or fatty foods leads to overweight or high blood cholesterol which in turn leads to high blood sugar.
Stress:
Though, stress can’t solely cause diabetes but stress hormones might hinder insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from working properly and lead to sugar level spike.
Smoking:
The nicotine present in cigarettes alters the function of cells and makes them more resistant to insulin, which in turn increases blood glucose level.
How Do You Know You Have Diabetes?
The onset of symptoms depends on the type of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes it occurs suddenly and fast but in type 2 diabetes it may take many years before it’s detected.
The symptoms include:
Irritability
Blurred vision
Slow healing wounds
Fatigue and weakness
Unexplained weight loss
Skin and vaginal infections
Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
Extreme hunger (polyphagia)
Excessive urination (polyuria)
Tingling sensation on the hands and feet.
How To Diagnose Diabetes?
These basic blood tests are done to measure your blood sugar level, which include:
Fasting Blood Sugar Test (FBS):
The test is usually carried out after 8 hours without eating.
It is usually done in the morning and it is used to detect prediabetes and diabetes.
The normal range is any value less than 100 mg/dL.
Any value between 100-125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes while above 126 mg/dL indicates diabetes.
Random Blood Glucose Test (RBS):
As the name implies, “random” means you can carry out the test at any time of the day regardless of when you had your last meal.
Any value from 200mg/dL above alongside obvious symptoms confirms diabetes.
Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test:
This is used to confirm the extent or degree at which diabetes has gone. It can also be used to detect prediabetes.
It can be carried out without fasting.
Any value less than 5.7% is considered normal, between 5.7%-6.4% means you have prediabetes while 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test:
This particular test requires you not to eat for at least eight hours and two hours after drinking a glucose beverage.
This test is used in diagnosis of gestational diabetes, prediabetes and other types.
Any reading less than 140 mg/dL is normal, between 140-199 mg/dL means you have prediabetes while a value more than 200 mg/dL confirms you have diabetes.
Treating Diabetes: Common Methods
There is no cure for diabetes, but blood sugar level can be properly controlled through the following ways.
Which include:
Diet:
Eating healthy is a very basic part of diabetes management.
There are certain foods you need to add to your meal plan, while there are also some you should reduce or not take at all.
Take more high fibre foods, whole grains, fruits and vegetables other than high calorie, sugary, high carb and fatty foods.
This will help prevent high cholesterol and high triglycerides in the body thereby, helping to maintain healthy weight.
Exercise:
Physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and improves core body strength.
It also helps in maintaining healthy weight and preventing other heart diseases that may serve as precursor to diabetes.
You can consider going for a 30 minutes walk, swimming, dancing, cycling at home or preferably low-medium intensity exercise at the gym.
Medication:
Most people with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes tend to take oral medications.
There are several drugs available for the treatment of diabetes, these drugs' mode of action in helping to increase insulin sensitivity differs due to their group.
Metformin (biguanide class) is the most common drug for diabetes and it is the first medicine prescribed for type 2 diabetes.
Other examples include:
GLP-1 receptor antagonists: Glucophage, fortamet
SGLT2 inhibitors: Dapagliflozin, empagliflozin and so on
Sulfonylureas: Glipizide, gliclazide, glimepiride and so on
DPP-IV inhibitors: sitagliptin, vildagliptin, linagliptin and so on.
Insulin Therapy:
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin on a regular basis to keep their blood glucose in check.
There are various types of insulin and they are categorized based on how long their effects last.
To choose the best one, you need to regularly check and monitor your blood glucose level to know which one and how much insulin you need at that particular time.
We have the rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting and mixed insulins.
Such individuals need to learn how to check their blood glucose level, themselves by getting a blood glucose monitor.
The insulin is self delivered usually by insulin injections or insulin pumps.
People with type 2 diabetes might also need to take insulin, if it happens that there is no visible improvement with medications.
Regular Blood Glucose Monitoring:
Regularly checking your sugar level is a very important aspect of the diabetes treatment approach.
This helps track your progress and determine how well your body is responding to treatment.
Ideally, you should check your blood sugar once or twice daily. Usually when you wake up in the morning, before having breakfast and at bedtime.
However, if your blood sugar level is under control, you only need to check it multiple times a week.
You check your blood glucose yourself usually with a glucometer and test strip, it also involves you pricking your finger lightly with a needle for blood (don't worry, it’s just a sting).
Descriptions on how to set up and use always come with the manuals guide.
Other precautions to take include:
Stop smoking
Rest and sleep well
Manage your stress
Avoid excessive alcohol intake
Take medications as prescribed by your physician.
Effects of Diabetes on Overall Health
When diabetes is not properly managed, it can lead to severe complications that affect your body organs.
This drastically reduces your quality of living if not treated as an emergency.
Some of which include:
Hearing loss
Skin infections
Dental and gum diseases
Mental issues like depression
Eye problems (diabetic retinopathy)
Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy)
Kidney damage ( diabetic Nephropathy)
Sexual dysfunction like erectile dysfunction in males
Foot problems such as numbness and ulceration which may lead to amputation
Heart and blood vessel diseases such as chest pain (angina), coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke and atherosclerosis.
Conclusion on Diabetes
Living with diabetes can be challenging but that doesn't mean you can't live a happy life. If you experience any of these diabetes symptoms, see your doctor.
Having adequate knowledge about diabetes is crucial, for both individuals and society as a whole. It helps us make informed decisions about its prevention and early detection.
The government also has a role to play, because the socio-economic implications of diabetes are significant.
Therefore, policymakers should develop effective healthcare policies that ensure access to diabetes management and education for all, regardless of socio-economic status.
This includes raising awareness, promoting prevention, and advancing treatment options.
Let us stand united in the fight against diabetes and pave the way for a healthier, more resilient future.
We’ll see in the next blog post. Stay Healthy! :)