Diabetes at a glance.

Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as ‘diabetes’, is a condition resulting from a metabolism malfunction. Under such abnormal circumstances the pancreas will produce little or no insulin, causing irregular blood sugar levels.

In general, diabetes is a group of related diseases characterized by heightened levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. There are different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also called immune-mediated diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and is usually diagnosed before a person turns 19. As a result, it is also often referred to as ‘juvenile’ diabetes.

Non- insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes is also known as Type 2 diabetes and occurs when the cells of the body do not respond to insulin the way they should, and usually affects people who are older than 40.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has many of the Type 2 diabetes traits, including a combination of relatively insufficient insulin secretion and slow responsiveness to insulin need. Not all women are affected, but if it does occur during a pregnancy, the condition may improve, or disappear completely, after the delivery. Gestational diabetes is fully treatable, but requires constant monitoring throughout the entire pregnancy.
When a body lacks an adequate amount of insulin, certain symptoms may appear. Frequent urination is quite common, as glucose cannot get into the body’s cells and builds up in the blood instead. Usually, the kidneys do not allow glucose in the urine, but in case of diabetes, the glucose overflow in the blood spills into the urine, pulling extra water out of the body. Because of the excess loss of fluids through urination, being dehydrated and feeling extremely thirsty are furthermore common diabetes indicators.

A person who is always hungry and is overeating can also be experiencing symptoms of diabetes. In this case the body is looking for ways to compensate for a typical diabetes energy deficiency. People with undiagnosed diabetes may lose weight, despite the increased appetite, as their bodies start to break down fat for energy instead of sugar. This is of course, an alarming concern for children and teenagers, and the fact that they are not gaining weight at a crucial time in their lives can be negatively influencing their overall health.
Untreated diabetes patients often complain of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, infections that are not healing properly, blurred vision, hair loss, and dry, irritated skin. Patients with diabetes are prone to developing infections of the skin, bladder, and vaginal areas. In some cases, severely elevated glucose levels can also lead to lethargy (abnormal drowsiness), blindness, induce a coma, or the patient dies.

If a person experiences any of the above mentioned symptoms, it would be a good idea to book a comprehensive medical exam. If a doctor suspects that a patient has diabetes, simple urine or blood tests can be performed – some fasting may be required.

Diabetes research is an active medical field, always searching for answers and more effective therapies. The actual diabetes treatment and lifestyle changes will depend on the type and severity of the diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes is first treated with a diabetic diet, a weight-control program and exercise. If these measures are unsuccessful in dealing with the elevated blood sugars, oral medications can be prescribed, or in worse case scenarios, insulin injections.
Keeping accurate records of blood sugar levels and insulin dosages is crucial for any patient managing diabetes. Wearing a medical alert tag or bracelet is highly recommended, as this may actually save the diabetic’s life in a crisis situation, when he or she is not responsive and strangers have to administer emergency assistance. While people with diabetes depend on doctors and medical services to help them, they too can be quite active in monitoring their routines, and participating in continued education, which will help them even more in properly managing their condition.

About the Author
Irida Sangemino is an international copywriter/journalist/editor with multiple interests.