Incredible Facts About Diabetes & How To Manage It.
Diabetes affects twenty-nine million Americans, while globally eighty-six million individuals have pre-diabetes, and eight million have diabetes mellitus. Fortunately, diabetes mellitus can be effectively managed, however, it is a chronic disease that lasts a lifetime. Continue reading to learn the causes, symptoms, and how to manage both types of diabetes today.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus, commonly abbreviated to DM, is a set of metabolic diseases that are characterized by high glucose, or blood sugar levels resulting from defective insulin secretion or action, or both. Diabetes mellitus is often referred to as diabetes. Usually, the level of blood glucose is regulated by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, to lower these levels. When the blood glucose levels increase, such as after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin to regulate the glucose level by promoting its uptake into the body cells. In diabetic patients, the insufficient production, or absence of, or the inability to respond to insulin produces hyperglycemia.
Next, find out what causes DM and how insulin works within the body.
Causes Of Diabetes Mellitus
Type I diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The combination of genetic predisposition and other unknown factors can cause the immune system to combat the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type II diabetes is usually induced by insulin resistance, meaning that no matter how little or how much insulin the body produces, it cannot be utilized as required. Thus, the glucose cannot be transported from the blood into the cells. With time, the excess glucose in the blood poisons the pancreas, forcing it to produce less insulin, making it impossible to control the blood glucose levels.
The primary cause of insulin resistance is obesity, as over eighty percent of individuals suffering from Type II diabetes are overweight. Also, genetic factors are believed to contribute to an individual developing Type II diabetes, especially if there is a family history of the disease.
Continue reading to discover the risk factors associated with DM.
Risk Factors Of Diabetes
There are numerous risk factors associated with the development of diabetes mellitus. Conditions that are considered risk factors include acanthosis nigricans, a condition that causes dark patches on the skin, blood vessel diseases such as damage to the blood vessels in the legs, arms, eyes, brain, nerves, heart, and kidneys, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, obstructive sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity. Certain mental health disorders have also been linked to DM, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. A gestational diabetic history, impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes, and the use of specific medications have also been linked to the development of DM.
Genetic predispositions for diabetes mellitus include individuals over the age of forty, individuals who are of First Nations, Asian, African, Hispanic, or South Asian descent, and women who give birth to larger babies.
Next, reveal the common symptoms of DM.
Signs And Symptoms
Common symptoms patients with DM can experience include blurry vision, excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, weight loss, and constant hunger. It should be known that Type II diabetes develops gradually, and some patients may not show any of the common symptoms. Individuals who have had diabetes for an extended period may develop certain complications, such as vision problems, nerve damage, infections and sores on the legs, kidney problems, a weakened immune system, and an increased risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack.
Keep reading to find out how diabetes mellitus is managed and treated.
Treatment Options
Type II diabetes may be reversed through certain lifestyle changes such as losing weight by following a healthy diet and daily exercise. Also, some cases have been shown to improve with weight loss surgery. However, there is no known cure for Type I diabetes. The treatments options for both types of diabetes include medications, exercising regularly to control the body's glucose level, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Controlling the body's cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar levels greatly reduce the risk of a patient having a stroke or heart attack, as well as developing kidney disease, eye disease, and other neurological conditions. To further prevent complications, individuals should consult their physician and have regular check-ups at least twice a year.
Continue reading to learn how to prevent DM from developing.
Preventing Diabetes Mellitus
To prevent diabetes mellitus, individuals are encouraged to adopt an active lifestyle and maintain a healthy and ideal body weight. In the case that an individual already has diabetes, they would need to learn how to manage the condition in order to avoid complications that can arise from the condition. Managing the disease includes checking blood glucose levels daily and consistently monitoring them, as well as eating healthy and staying active.
Diabetes is a lifelong disease that has no cure, but thankfully, it can be effectively managed. Always consult a physician before making any changes that could impact one's health.