Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by polyuria (frequent urination), polydypsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger). In simple terms, diabetes is a condition, wherein the individual has raised levels of blood sugar. This happens because the body cells are no longer capable of producing sufficient insulin for the body or the cells fail to respond to the insulin that is produced. Now one would also like to know what exactly insulin is… Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for regulation of fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Insulin has an interesting role to play in our body. Insulin regulates the cells in the liver, muscle as well as the fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood and stores it as glycogen in the liver and muscle. Insulin also stops the use of fat as source of energy by inhibiting the release of glucagon. Glucagon is also a hormone secreted by the pancreas that is responsible for raising the blood sugar levels when the levels are too low. Glucagon also stimulates the release of insulin so that the glucose can be taken up by the cells and stored as glycogen. The role of glucagon is opposite that of insulin. Thus, glucagon and insulin act hand in hand to maintain appropriate glucose levels in the blood. Now when insulin is absent, glucose is not taken up by the cells and thus, the body begins to use fat as source of energy. When the control of insulin fails, diabetes mellitus takes place.
There are three main type of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and Gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM for short, and juvenile diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Gestational diabetes is condition that takes place only in pregnant woman, who during pregnancy have high blood glucose levels. After the birth of the child, the blood glucose levels reach to a normal level; and this kind of diabetes resolves after the child delivery.
When diabetes remains untreated, it leads to many secondary complications. Secondary complications include obesity, heart disease, chronic renal failure, retinal damage. Hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma are some of the acute complications of untreated diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus being a chronic disorder is to some extent difficult to cure; however its management lies in the hands of the doctors as well as the patients. The doctors as well as the dietitians should provide patient education so that they get a better understanding of the disease and avoid undue complications. Use of oral drugs, along with insulin is helpful or keeping the blood sugar levels normal. In addition to this a little modification of ones lifestyle will also be of great help in keeping blood sugar levels under control. Apart from medications, a strict dietary regime, exercise should also be followed on a regular basis.
