Diabetes Mellitus: Metabolic and Hormonal Disorders
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Diabetes mellitus is a common and serious disease that affects how the body consumes and controls glucose, a form of sugar that serves as an energy source for cells. Glucose is obtained from meals and is generally delivered from the bloodstream to the cells by the hormone insulin. In persons with diabetes, the pancreas either does not create enough insulin or the cells do not respond correctly to insulin, or both. This results in high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) and low cell glucose levels (hypoglycemia).
Diabetes mellitus is classified into two types: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system assaults and destroys the pancreatic beta cells that create insulin. This results in a complete lack of insulin in the body, necessitating the need of insulin injections or pumps for the rest of one's life to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically manifests itself during infancy or adolescence, however it can occur at any age.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is more frequent and accounts for roughly 90% of all diabetes cases. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that degrade cells' capacity to respond to insulin, resulting in insulin resistance. This causes a relative insulin deficit in the body over time because the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to overcome the resistance. Type 2 diabetes mellitus normally develops in adults, however it can also afflict overweight or obese children and adolescents.
If left untreated or inadequately controlled, both types of diabetes mellitus can lead to serious problems. These include eye damage (retinopathy), kidney damage (nephropathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), heart disease (cardiovascular disease), and blood vessel damage (peripheral vascular disease). Diabetes mellitus can also increase the likelihood of infections, non-healing wounds, and amputations. As a result, it is critical to diagnose and treat diabetes mellitus as soon as possible, as well as to frequently monitor and manage blood glucose levels.
Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed by measuring blood glucose levels with several tests such as fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and glycated haemoglobin (A1C). Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed using the following criteria:
- FPG 7.0 < mmol/L (126 mg/dL)
- OGTT 11.1 < mmol/L (200 mg/dL) two hours after 75 g glucose ingestion
- A1C 6.5%
Diabetes mellitus treatment is determined by the type and severity of the ailment, as well as by individual characteristics such as age, weight, lifestyle, and comorbidities. The primary goals of treatment are to return blood glucose levels to normal, to prevent or postpone problems, and to improve quality of life. Among the therapy options are:
- Following a nutritious diet low in refined carbohydrates (including sugar), saturated fat, and processed foods; exercising regularly; keeping a healthy weight; stopping smoking; and limiting alcohol use are examples of lifestyle changes.
- Medications: These include oral drugs that lower blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion (as in sulfonylureas), improving insulin sensitivity (as in metformin), delaying glucose absorption (as in acarbose), or increasing urinary glucose excretion (as in SGLT2 inhibitors); injectable drugs that mimic the effects of natural hormones that regulate blood glucose levels (as in GLP-1 agonists); and insulin injections
- Monitoring entails checking blood glucose levels at home with a glucometer or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM); visiting a health care provider on a regular basis for physical examinations, laboratory tests, and complication screening; and adjusting treatment plans based on blood glucose levels and other factors.
Diabetes is a metabolic and hormonal illness that affects millions of people throughout the world. It can create major health concerns if not properly diagnosed and managed. People with diabetes mellitus, on the other hand, can live long and healthy lives with the right lifestyle adjustments, medications, and monitoring.
Conclusion
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects how the body metabolises glucose, which is a critical source of energy for cells. It can be caused by a lack of insulin synthesis, insulin resistance, or both. Diabetes mellitus is classified into two types: type 1 and type 2. Both types can cause major issues in the body's organs and systems, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. As a result, it is critical to detect and treat diabetes mellitus as soon as feasible, as well as maintain ideal blood glucose levels by lifestyle changes, medications, and monitoring. People with diabetes can enhance their quality of life by preventing or delaying the onset of complications.
