DIABETES (Diabetes mellitus)

Diabetes is a disease in which the body ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated level of glucose in the blood.

It occurs when the body blood glucose, called sugar is too high.

Common Types of Diabetes

1. Type 1 Diabetes or Juvenile Diabetes

2. Type 2 Diabetes

3. Gestational Diabetes

4. Prediabetes

Causes of Diabetes

Eating unhealthy Diet

Physical inactivity

Having high blood pressure

Smoking

High Level of cholesterol

Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes)

This is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. This mostly occurs in children and young adults.

*Type 2 Diabetes: This is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose).

*Prediabetes: A condition in which blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes. It can lead to a chronic diabetes within 10 years. Many people with prediabetes have no symptoms.

*Gestational Diabetes: form of high blood sugar affecting pregnant women. In most cases, there are no symptoms. A blood sugar test during pregnancy is used for diagnosis.

Common Symptoms and Signs of Diabetes

Frequent Urination

Excess thirst

Weight loss

Skin infections

Genital infections

Abdominal pain

Stomach pain

Diarrhea

Swollen ankles.

Sudden loss of muscle mass

Blurred vision

Treatments:

The treatments include:

Adequate diet, regular exercise, life style changes, avoid dietary sugar, medication and insulin therapy, daily blood sugar monitoring, and baby monitoring(in Gestational Diabetes).
                                         Credit: Deaconess Adeyoju
                                                (A Medical Personnel)