What is a Diabetes | Types of Diabetes | Diabetes Symptoms | a1c level

 




What is a Diabetes?

            Diabetes mellitus (DM), sometimes known as simply diabetes, is a set of metabolic diseases defined by a persistently high blood sugar level. Frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger are common symptoms. Diabetes, if left untreated, can lead to a slew of health issues. Diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia, and mortality are all examples of acute complications. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic renal disease, foot ulcers, nerve damage, eye damage, and cognitive impairment are all serious long-term consequences.

Diabetes is caused by either a lack of insulin production by the pancreas or a lack of insulin response by the body's cells.


Diabetes types:-

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a metabolic illness characterized by excessive blood sugar levels. Insulin transports sugar from the bloodstream into your cells, where it is stored or utilized for energy. Your body either doesn't create enough insulin or can't utilize the insulin it does make properly if you have diabetes. Diabetes-related elevated blood sugar can harm your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs if left untreated.


There are a few different types of diabetes:

  • Type1:- Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune illness. In the pancreas, where insulin is produced, the immune system assaults and destroys cells. It is unknown what is causing this onslaught. This form of diabetes affects around 10% of diabetics.

  • Type2:-When your body develops resistant to insulin, sugar builds up in your blood, resulting in type 2 diabetes.

  • Pre-Diabetes:- When your blood sugar level is higher than usual but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you have pre-diabetes.

  • Gestational Diabetes:- High blood sugar during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. This form of diabetes is caused by the placenta's production of insulin-blocking substances.

Although it has a similar name, diabetes insipidus is an uncommon disease that is unrelated to diabetes mellitus. It's a distinct ailment in which your kidneys eliminate an excessive amount of fluid from your body.  

The symptoms, causes, and therapies for each form of diabetes are different. Find out how these personalities differ from one another.

 


Symptoms Of Diabetes

General symptoms:-

The general symptoms of diabetes include:

  • increased hunger
  • increased thirst
  • weight loss
  • frequent urination
  • blurry vision
  • extreme fatigue
  • sores that don’t heal


Symptoms in women

Urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and dry, itchy skin are all signs of diabetes in women.


Symptoms of type 1 diabetes

  • extreme hunger
  • increased thirst
  • unintentional weight loss
  • frequent urination
  • blurry vision
  • tiredness

It may also result in mood changes

 

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes

  • Increased thirst
  • increased hunger
  • increased urination
  • blurry vision
  • tiredness
  • sores that are slow to heal

It may also cause recurring infections. This is because elevated glucose levels make it harder for the body to heal.


Gestational diabetes

The majority of women with gestational diabetes experience no symptoms. Between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy, a regular blood sugar test or oral glucose tolerance test is generally conducted to diagnose the condition.    A woman with gestational diabetes may feel increased thirst or urination in rare circumstances.


Causes of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an unknown factor, according to doctors. The immune system erroneously targets and kills insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas for unknown reasons. In certain people, genes may play a role. It's also conceivable that a virus triggers an immunological response.


Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is caused by a mix of genetics and lifestyle choices. Obesity or being overweight increases your risk. Extra weight, especially around the midsection, makes your cells more resistant to insulin's effects on blood sugar. This is a genetic disease that runs in families. Family members have genes that increase their chances of developing type 2 diabetes and being overweight.


Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a condition that develops as a result of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. The placenta secretes substances that make a pregnant woman's cells more resistant to insulin's effects. During pregnancy, this might lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Pregnant women who are overweight or acquire too much weight during pregnancy are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.


Other types

MODY (maturity onset diabetes of the young) is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary type of diabetes caused by one of many single-gene mutations that cause insulin manufacturing abnormalities. It is far less prevalent than the other three kinds, accounting for only 1–2% of all cases. The name of the condition alludes to early theories about its cause. Because this illness is caused by a faulty gene, it varies in age of onset and severity depending on the individual gene deficiency; consequently, there are at least 13 subtypes of MODY. It is common for people with MODY to be able to regulate it without the use of insulin.



Diabetes risk factors

Type 1 diabetes

If you're a kid or adolescent, if you have a parent or sibling who has the illness, or if you have specific genes connected to the disease, you're more likely to get type 1 diabetes.


Type 2 diabetes

Your risk for type 2 diabetes increases if you:

  • are overweight
  • are age 45 or older
  • have a parent or sibling with the condition
  • aren’t physically active
  • have had gestational diabetes
  • have pre-diabetes
  • have high blood pressurehigh cholesterol, or high triglycerides
  • have African American, Hispanic or Latino American, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or Asian American ancestry


Gestational diabetes

Your risk for gestational diabetes increases if you:

  • are overweight
  • are over age 25
  • had gestational diabetes during a past pregnancy
  • have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
  • have a family history of type 2 diabetes
  • have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

 

Diabetes complications


Blood sugar levels that are too high harm organs and tissues all over the body. The longer you live with high blood sugar, the more likely you are to have problems.

Complications associated with diabetes include:

  • heart diseaseheart attack, and stroke
  • neuropathy
  • nephropathy
  • retinopathy and vision loss
  • hearing loss
  • foot damage such as infections and sores that don’t heal
  • skin conditions such as bacterial and fungal infections
  • depression
  • dementia  


Gestational diabetes

Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to problems that affect both the mother and baby. Complications affecting the baby can include:

 

Diabetes In Pregnancy


        During pregnancy, women who have never had diabetes can acquire gestational diabetes. The placenta produces hormones that can make your body more resistant to insulin's effects. Diabetes can follow a woman into pregnancy if she had it before she became pregnant. Pre-gestational diabetes is the medical term for this condition. Although gestational diabetes should go away after delivery, it does raise your chances of developing diabetes later in life. According to the International Diabetes Federation, almost half of women with gestational diabetes will acquire type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years following birth (IDF). Diabetes during pregnancy can cause concerns for your baby, such as jaundice or breathing difficulties. If you have pre-gestational or gestational diabetes, you will need to be closely monitored to avoid problems. Learn more about how diabetes affects pregnancy.


Diabetes In Children


        Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can affect children. Blood sugar control is especially essential in young individuals because diabetes can harm vital organs like the heart and kidneys.

         Type 1 diabetes

          Diabetes with an autoimmune component frequently begins in childhood.Increased urination is one of the most common symptoms. After being toilet rained, children with type 1 diabetes may begin to wet the bed. Extreme thirst, exhaustion, and hunger are additional symptoms of the illness. It's critical that children with type 1 diabetes receive treatment as soon as possible. High blood sugar and dehydration are two medical problems that can occur as a result of the illness.

 

Type 2 diabetes

Because type 2 diabetes is so uncommon in children, type 1 diabetes was sometimes referred to as "juvenile diabetes." Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly frequent in this age range as more youngsters become overweight or obese. According to the Mayo Clinic, over 40% of children with type 2 diabetes exhibit no symptoms. A physical examination is frequently used to diagnose the illness.Type 2 diabetes, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness. Healthy nutrition and exercise can assist your child in controlling their blood sugar levels and avoiding these issues. Young individuals are more likely than ever to have type 2 diabetes.

 

Question that in your mind 

 

Does Diabetes spread from one person to another person?

The truth is that Diabetes is not contagious. It can never be transmitted from one person to another. It’s mostly a genetic disorder which results from hormonal imbalances. Don’t be over conscious when you are near a diabetic patient as you will never get affected by Diabetes from their touch and sneeze


Does the risk of Diabetes always run in the family?

It’s true that Type 1 Diabetes is genetic. You are at a high risk of getting affected if Diabetes runs in your family. But you can’t always blame your genes for it. Type 2 Diabetes is often not genetic and is associated with the lifestyle practices of the affected person.

 

Should I need to avoid carbohydrates if I am diabetic?

Although carbohydrates get converted to glucose after entering your body, it doesn't mean that you have to stop taking carbohydrates completely. Carbs are an essential part of your diet. Even a diabetic patient can eat healthy carbohydrates including fibrous foods.


Can children outgrow Diabetes?

The truth is that your child will never outgrow Diabetes. Children are mostly affected by Type 2 Diabetes or Juvenile Diabetes. This type of Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. 

Is Obesity the sole cause of Diabetes?

Obesity in any form is bad and should never be encouraged. You can’t always blame it for causing Diabetes. It’s one of the most prominent risk factors for Diabetes but it doesn’t mean that staying slim and trim can never put you at risk.

Is Type 2 Diabetes a milder form of Diabetes?

 Type 2 Diabetes is a milder form of Diabetes but the truth is that Diabetes is always serious. Lack of a proper management can make the condition worse. 

Can Diabetes prevent you from taking up your dream job?

Diabetes doesn’t make you disabled. Although it might affect the quality of your life, it never restricts you from getting your dream job. Although the armed forces might restrict your entry if you are Diabetic, you can still manage to find a suitable position in the army. 

Does Diabetes allow you to indulge in sports?

The truth is that sports are actually beneficial for controlling Diabetes. Sports helps you to control your body weight. Any sort of physical activities can decrease the risk of Diabetes.

A1c leval in normal human body 

normal A1C level is below 5.7%, a level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates   pre-diabetes, and a level of 6.5% or more indicates diabetes. Within the 5.7% to 6.4% pre-diabetes range, the higher your A1C, the greater your risk is for developing type 2 diabetes.

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