On Diabetes.

November is Diabetes awareness month and with just few days to its end I decided to write on it. Moreover, it seems to be one of the leading reason for hospital visits.

Diabetes itself means plenty urination(polyuria) and increased thirst(polydipsia). Diabetes could be Mellitus i.e related to insulin or Insipidus related to vasopressin.
The most common one is Diabetes Mellitus. Insulin is a hormone secreted in the pancreas by the beta cells of langerhans. Its secretion is stimulated by glucose in blood when we eat and hence it functions at driving glucose into cells and ensuring its usage in energy production and building up energy stores. As discussed by most recent studies by WHO, it can be classified into 4 based on its causes(Etiological)
1. Insulin Dependent Diabetes mellitus, popularly known as type 1, its know to be of juvenile onset appearing in childhood though few related cases of adult after immune stimulation has been recorded LADA. This form of DM has been related to genetics, chromosome 6 and is known to be aggravated by childhood diseases not well treated like measles, chicken pox, parotitis etc The body generate immune body T cells and B cells against this disease causing microbes but in the process generate autoimmune bodies against the insulin secreting cells in pancreas causing their death hence reduced insulin secretion.
2.NON INSULIN DEPENDENT DM: this is of adult onset thou children are been recorded to having it now. its the types most of our parents have. Its genetically related to changes in chromosome 11 and its aggravated by Obesity(most especially abdominal form of obesity). Life style has a lot to do with this, the food we eat, the drinks we take, lack of physical activities etc. What happens here is that due to excessive fat in our body, we develop resistance to insulin and then Tolerance to Glucose.
3. DM RELATED TO OTHER DISORDERS: This includes; DM associated with endocrinopathies like cushing disease, Addisons etc;genetic defects of Beta cells of pancreas, pathology of exocrine gland of pancreas, drug induced Diabetics e.g unregulated use of Beta-adrenoblockers
4.DM ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY: Due to changes that occurs in woman during pregnancy, she develops resistance to insulin thou its slight in healthy pregnancy and in women who visits antenatal clinics. Hence not all pregnant women have DM thou they are a risk group during pregnancy and post delivery if not well taken care of. 

Prediabetes is an elevated blood glucose level that is not quite high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, but is higher than normal. Most do not even know they have it. Many people with prediabetes who do not lose weight or do moderate physical activity will develop type 2 diabetes within 3 years.Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of the foot, toe or leg. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death

Symptoms:
frequent urinations
Increased thirst
Increased Appetite
loss of weight over time
Dizziness
sleeping in day and restless at night,visual problem, itching of skin.

Treatment:
its best to Visit a doctor and not do self medication so i will not mention specific drugs.
In DM1: mild form we only regulate patient diet
In severe, we regulate diet and do insulin therapy.
In DM2:mild form-diet
Moderate:Diet+oral hypoglycemic drugs
Severe:Diet+oral hypoglycemic drugs+Insulin
Note that in Severe case of DM2, patient is regressing into type 1 clinical features.

Complications:
Acutes: Ketoacidotic coma, Hyperglycemic coma, Hypoglycemic coma and Lactacidemic coma.

Chronics: Angiopathies, Retinopathy,Cardiomyopaties, Ischemic Heart Disease, Diabetic Foot, Encephalopathy,Respiratory Diseases, Nephropathy etc.

Prevention:

Healthy Diet

• Eat a variety of foods from all the food groups


• Choose foods high in fiber and low in cholesterol and fat (especially saturated fat)


• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (at least half your plate should be made up of these foods)


• Choose lean meats


• Choose whole grains over processed foods


• Consume foods in as close to their natural state as possible


• Eat in moderation and exercise portion control

Stay Active

• Lowers blood sugar: 1 minute of exercise can lower your blood glucose level by 1 to 1.5 points


• Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol


• Helps improve weight management


• Lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke


• Helps insulin work more efficiently


• Strengthens your heart, muscles and bones


• Decreases body fat and increases muscle mass


• Improves blood circulation


• Reduces stress and improves self esteem


• May help curb appetite


• Keeps body and joints flexible

Let us note that the reason this is being discussed is not to bring fears into our heart but to enlighten us about the disease and see reasons why we should have healthy lifestyles(reduce that pot belly of yours) and when diagnosed of it, follow your treatments.
                                                                                                                               Adenuga O.A