Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns
food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar (also called glucose) and
released into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to
release insulin.
Endocrinology is the study of hormones. Hormones are essential for our every-day survival.
They control our temperature, sleep, mood, stress, growth and more. An endocrinologist is a
doctor that treats diseases related to problems with hormones. A hormone is a chemical
messenger that travels from one cell to another.
Endocrinologist, An endocrinologist is a medical specialist who can provide expert advice on
the management of diabetes. They know how to treat conditions that are often complex and
involve many systems within your body.
 Signs and Symptoms
Diabetes symptoms vary depending on how much your blood sugar is elevated. Some people,
especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may sometimes not experience symptoms. In
type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe.
Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are:
Increased thirst-polydipsia
Frequent urination-polyuria
Extreme hunger-polyphagia
Unexplained weight loss
Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat
that happens when there's not enough available insulin)
Fatigue
Irritability-crankiness
Blurred vision-refractive errors
Slow-healing sores-chronic
Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections and vaginal infections
 Causes of Diabetes
Causes of type 1 diabetes
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. What is known is that your immune system — which
normally fights harmful bacteria or viruses — attacks and destroys your insulin-producing cells in the
pancreas. This leaves you with little or no insulin. Instead of being transported into your cells, sugar builds
up in your bloodstream.
Type 1 is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, though
exactly what those factors are is still unclear. Weight is not believed to be a factor in type 1 diabetes.
Causes of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
In prediabetes — which can lead to type 2 diabetes — and in type 2 diabetes, your cells become resistant
to the action of insulin, and your pancreas is unable to make enough insulin to overcome this resistance.
Instead of moving into your cells where it's needed for energy, sugar builds up in your bloodstream.
Exactly why this happens is uncertain, although it's believed that genetic and environmental factors play a
role in the development of type 2 diabetes too. Being overweight is strongly linked to the development of
type 2 diabetes, but not everyone with type 2 is overweight.
Continue
Causes of diabetes
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to sustain your pregnancy.
These hormones make your cells more resistant to insulin.
Normally, your pancreas responds by producing enough extra insulin to overcome
this resistance. But sometimes your pancreas can't keep up. When this happens,
too little glucose gets into your cells and too much stays in your blood, resulting in
gestational diabetes.
Diabetes Diagnosis
Diabetes is diagnosed and managed by checking your glucose level in a blood test. There are three tests that
can measure your blood glucose level: fasting glucose test, random glucose test and A1c test.
Fasting plasma glucose test(FPG):This test is best done in the morning after an eight hour fast (nothing to
eat or drink except sips of water).
Random plasma glucose test(RBG): This test can be done any time without the need to fast.
A1c test: This test, also called HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin test , provides your average blood glucose
level over the past two to three months. This test measures the amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin,
the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. You don’t need to fast before this test.
Oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT): In this test, blood glucose level is first measured after an overnight
fast. Then you drink a sugary drink. Your blood glucose level is then checked at hours one, two and three.
 Management and Treatment of Diabetes
The goal of diabetes management is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as safely
possible. Since diabetes may greatly increase risk for heart disease and peripheral artery disease,
measures to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels are an essential part of diabetes
treatment as well.

Depending on what type of diabetes you have, blood sugar monitoring, insulin and oral
medications may play a role in your treatment. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a
healthy weight and participating in regular activity also are important factors in managing
diabetes.
Healthy eating nutrient-rich food,Contrary to popular perception, there's no specific diabetes diet. You'll
need to center your diet on more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains — foods that are
high in nutrition and fiber and low in fat and calories — and cut down on saturated fats, refined
carbohydrates and sweets.

Physical activity exercise,Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise, and people who have diabetes are
no exception. Exercise lowers your blood sugar level by moving sugar into your cells, where it's used for
energy. Exercise also increases your sensitivity to insulin, which means your body needs less insulin to
transport sugar to your cells.

-Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump, frequent blood
sugar checks, and carbohydrate counting. Treatment of type 2 diabetes primarily involves lifestyle
changes, monitoring of your blood sugar, along with diabetes medications, insulin or both.

Monitoring your blood sugar glycemic control,Depending on your treatment plan, you may check and
record your blood sugar as many as four times a day or more often if you're taking insulin. Careful
monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains within your target range.
People with type 2 diabetes who aren't taking insulin generally check their blood sugar much less
frequently.
Insulin,People with type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy to survive. Many people with type 2
diabetes or gestational diabetes also need insulin therapy.

Oral or other medications oral administration,Sometimes other oral or injected medications are
prescribed as well. Some diabetes medications stimulate your pancreas to produce and release
more insulin. Others inhibit the production and release of glucose from your liver, which means you
need less insulin to transport sugar into your cells.

Transplantation graft transplant,In some people who have type 1 diabetes, a pancreas transplant
may be an option. Islet transplants are being studied as well. With a successful pancreas transplant,
you would no longer need insulin therapy.

Bariatric surgery gastric bypass,Although it is not specifically considered a treatment for type 2
diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes who are obese and have a body mass index higher than 35
may benefit from this type of surgery. People who've undergone gastric bypass have seen
significant improvements in their blood sugar levels. However, this procedure's long-term risks and
benefits for type 2 diabetes aren't yet known.