What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes glucose, a crucial source of energy for movement, growth, repair, and other vital functions. When we eat, our bodies break food down into organic compounds, one of which is glucose. Before our cells can use glucose, it must move from the bloodstream into the cells, a process that requires insulin.
What Causes Diabetes?
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. When glucose enters our bloodstream, the pancreas should automatically produce the right amount of insulin to move glucose into our cells. However, in people with diabetes, the pancreas either produces too little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body. The body is therefore unable to utilize its main source of fuel, even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin, so the person with this type of diabetes must take insulin daily to live. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children and young adults (previously known as juvenile diabetes) but can appear at any age. The cause of this type of diabetes has been linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Type 2 Diabetes
About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes is a rapidly growing disease worldwide and is associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and ethnicity. About 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents. When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but for certain reasons, the body cannot use the insulin effectively- a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result as in the case of type 1 diabetes is that glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs when pregnant women, who have never had diabetes before, experience high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy. Scientists believe that hormones from the placenta, which help the baby develop, can sometimes interfere with the mother’s insulin action. Testing for blood glucose levels is recommended during pregnancy. Although gestational diabetes usually resolves after pregnancy, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Constant hunger
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Slow healing of wounds or sores
If not diagnosed and treated, a person with diabetes can lapse into a life-threatening diabetic coma. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop gradually and may be mild, which is why regular testing of blood sugar levels is recommended.
Tests for Diagnosing Diabetes:
The fasting blood glucose test (taken after at least 8 hours of fasting) is the preferred method for diagnosing type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is most reliable when done in the morning. A diagnosis of diabetes can also be confirmed with any of the following tests:
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Random Blood Glucose Test
Taken at any time of day.
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Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Measures how quickly glucose is cleared from the blood. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed based on glucose values measured during the GTT.
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HbA1c Test
Identifies the average blood glucose concentration over prolonged periods. This test is also important for monitoring the effectiveness of diabetes treatment in known diabetic patients.
Diabetes Treatment and Routine Testing
Managing diabetes effectively requires regular monitoring and routine testing. The recommended testing schedule includes:
- Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) & Random Blood Sugar (RBS): Once a month
- HbA1c Test: Every 3 months
- Lipid Profile: Every 6 months
- Creatinine: Annually
- Microalbuminuria: Annually if normal; every 3 months if abnormal
Effective diabetes treatment involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and regular monitoring to manage blood sugar levels and prevent complications.