Diabetes Mellitus
Most of us just know that diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by excess sugar. There is more to it than just the ‘sugar disease’. It is a condition that arises due to metabolic disorder of the body. Just like any other thing, the body undergoes some metabolic processes. This is the way our bodies use digested food for energy and growth because most of what we eat is broken down into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar in the blood and the most important source of fuel for our bodies. When we ingest food, the glucose goes down into the bloodstream. The mediator that allows the entry of glucose into cells before it can be utilized is known as insulin. Insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose. Insulin is a hormone produced by pancreas. There is an automatic release of insulin by the pancreas once we eat. The released insulin helps to move the glucose that is present in our blood into cells thereby reducing blood sugar level. So it means that when a person is diagnosed of diabetes mellitus, it is a condition known as hyperglycemia (increased level of glucose in blood). It can be due to insufficient production of insulin or that the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin at all in pathological cases. When there is less insulin, then automatically it results in too much glucose in the blood and then passes out of the body through the urine. It can also be that when the blood has enough glucose but cells can’t get any for utilization and growth.
There are three different types of diabetes mellitus known which includes Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It is often common in children and young adults but can appear at any age. It occurs as a result of the pancreas not being able to produce enough insulin. There are factors that contribute to having Type 1 diabetes such as genetics and exposure to certain viruses. It is a chronic and lifelong disease. It has no cure but can be managed with proper treatment. Type 2 diabetes, the adult-onset diabetes is also known as insulin-independent diabetes mellitus and it is far more common than Type 1. This condition occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. It is also due to the insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas. There are symptoms of Type 1 diabetes and they include extreme hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision and increased thirst and frequent urination. Type 2 diabetes symptoms can be deceitful because there are mostly no early symptoms. These diabetes symptoms though, when noticeable can be skin rashes, skin infections, skin ulcer, dry itch, peripheral neuropathy, blurred vision, and weight loss and gain.
Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus are chronic and last a lifetime but treatable since there is no known cure. If diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, there can be regular injection of insulin with some dietary and exercise therapy. Patients with Type 2 diabetes are mostly treated with some special diet, exercise and some diabetes drugs but in most cases the injection of insulin is required. Gestational diabetes is developed due to pregnancy. The good thing about this type of diabetes is that it resolves on its own after childbirth.
Lucy Akabogu
