Diabetes Mellitus can be regarded as "the root of all evils" and what actually is the root of this root?? yes....it's obesity and unhealthy lifestyle. Diabetes is a heterogeneous group of syndromes and is characterized by an increase in fasting blood glucose level. It may be due to relative or absolute deficiency of INSULIN. It is not surprising to find Diabetes the leading cause of amputation, renal failure, heart attacks, strokes and blindness. It's incidence is becoming a major threat, mainly due to obesity and sedentary lifestyle of the major population of the world due to the use of modern technology and machines.

TYPES:

TYPE 1 DIABETES

TYPE 2 DIABETES

TYPE 1 DIABETES:

CAUSE: Absolute deficiency (absence) of insulin due to autoimmune (against one's own body cells) attack on the beta cells of the pancreas that are mainly responsible for the production of insulin. This autoimmune attack leads to gradual depletion of beta cells.

Insulin produced by beta cells is responsible for the utilization of ingested glucose by the body cells. When this insulin is no longer there, the body cells fail to respond to increased glucose levels. Glucose fails to be utilized and hence it leads to an elevated blood glucose level.

DIAGNOSIS OF TYPE 1 DIABETES:

Polyuria (frequent urination)

Polydipsia (increased thirst)

Polyphagia (excessive hunger)

SYMPTOMS: fatigue, weight loss and weakness

CONFIRMATION OF DIAGNOSIS: fasting blood glucose level equal to or greater than 126 mg/dl

If still not certain, tests for circulating islet cell antibody are done

TREATMENT OF DIABETES TYPE 1:

Subcutaneous INSULIN injections

TYPE 2 DIABETES:

Type 2 Diabetes is mainly a combination of insulin resistance and dysfunction of beta cells.

INSULIN RESISTANCE:

It is the decreased ability of target tissues such as adipose, liver and muscle to respond to normal concentrations of insulin.

RISK FACTORS: OBESITY AND UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE:

Obesity is the most common cause of type 2 diabetes. Initially non diabetic obese people can compensate for insulin resistance by increasing the amount of insulin production by pancreas. Insulin resistance, alone cannot cause type 2 diabetes. Rather type 2 diabetes develops in insulin resistant individuals who have some impairment in beta cell function.

CAUSE OF INSULIN RESISTANCE:

Fat accumulation

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DIABETES:

Cardiovascular diseases

Strokes

Atheromas

Retinopathy

Neurological disorders

Cataracts

PREVENTION:

There is currently no preventive treatment of type 1 diabetes but type 2 diabetes can be prevented by nutritional therapy, weight loss, healthy lifestyle including exercise and regular walking habits.