Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of kidney failure, heart attacks, blindness, and lower-limb amputations. It is a chronic disease that is characterized by abnormally high sugar levels in the blood of an individual. A hormone named insulin is responsible for transporting blood sugars from the bloodstream to other cells of the body. In diabetes, the functioning of this hormone is impaired, causing the build up of sugars in the blood.
Types of diabetes
There are four different types of diabetes. They are:
1. Prediabetes: It means the person has high blood sugar levels than normal and is at risk of developing diabetes.
2. Type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes: In this type, very little or no insulin is produced by the pancreas. As a result, one is likely to take insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.
3. Type 2 diabetes: In this type, there is normal production of insulin by the pancreas. However, the body is unable to utilize it.
4. Gestational diabetes: It is the occurrence of high blood sugar during pregnancy and usually goes away after giving birth.
Symptoms of diabetes
Common symptoms of diabetes mellitus include:
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Weight loss
• Extreme hunger
• Sudden vision changes
• Tingling of hands and feet
• Dry and itchy skin
• Chronic fatigue
• Cuts that won’t heal
• Contracting infections frequently
Risk factors for diabetes
Diabetes can affect anyone. However, a few risk factors include:
• Family history of diabetes mellitus
• Age >35 years
• Being obese or overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Past history of gestational diabetes
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Kidney diseases
Diagnosis
Diabetes is diagnosed with the help of different tests. These tests measure the blood sugar levels of an individual and help diagnose different types of diabetes.
The different types of screening tests include:
1. Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c): It is also known as glycosylated haemoglobin test or glycated haemoglobin test. It gives the average blood sugar levels for the past three months and is used to screen for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
2. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): This test requires people to fast for at least about 8–10 hours before taking the test. It is advised that people check their glucose levels regularly.
3. Random Blood sugar (RBS): This is a casual test that can be done at any time of the day. You don’t have to fast or make any special preparations before taking this test.
4. Post-prandial blood sugar (PPBS): This test is taken 2 hrs after having your afternoon meals. This will tell you how well your metabolism is working.
5. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): This test involves drinking sugary syrup at your healthcare office or laboratory. The blood sugar levels are then measured over the next two hours after syrup consumption.
|
Name of the test |
Normal Values (mg/dL) |
||
|
Normal |
1-hour post-to-syrup consumption |
2 hours post-to-syrup consumption |
|
|
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test |
<95 |
<180 |
<150 |
6.Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR): HOMA is a robust method for estimating a person's risk of developing diabetes by assessing their beta cell function (insulin production and secretion) and insulin resistance. This test determines how much insulin the pancreas should secrete and release in order to effectively control blood sugar levels.
Interpretation of HOMA IR:
Low or normal HOMA IR indicates insulin sensitivity, meaning the insulin produced normally by the pancreas is sufficient to keep the blood sugar levels within normal ranges.
High HOMA IR may indicate insulin resistance, meaning the body is using more insulin than normal in order to keep the blood sugar levels within normal ranges, thereby increasing the risk of developing diabetes in the near future.
Normal ranges for different sugar tests (HOMA)
|
Results (%) |
HbA1c (%) |
Fasting blood sugar (mg/dL) |
Post-prandial blood sugar (mg/dL) |
Random blood sugar (mg/dL) |
HOMA IR (Scale) |
|
Normal |
5.7 and below |
70-100 |
140 and below |
N/A |
<1 |
|
Pre-diabetes |
5.7 – 69.4% |
100-125 |
140-199 |
N/A |
1.9 |
|
Diabetes |
Above 6.5% |
126 and above |
200 and above |
200 and above |
2.9 |
Treatment for diabetes
Individuals with diabetes are usually provided with oral antidiabetic medications by their healthcare professionals. These are mostly available in the form of pills and liquids. In addition to oral medications, one can also take insulin to efficiently control their blood sugars.
Insulin comes in the following forms:
1. Injectable insulin: These are injected into the fleshy parts of the body, such as the belly, and are available in the form of a pen or a vial.
2. Inhaled insulin: It is available only in rapid-acting forms of insulin and is inhaled through the mouth.
3. Insulin pumps: These work in a way similar to a healthy pancreas by delivering insulin continuously. The pump releases insulin into the body through a tiny cannula that is connected to a computerized device that helps manage the dose and frequency of insulin based on an individual’s needs.
Precautions to take when blood sugar is high
High blood sugar is related to prediabetes and diabetes. Chronic increases in blood sugar may cause severe complications such as impaired vision, peripheral neuropathy, heart and kidney diseases. Thus, blood glucose management is crucial for prediabetic and diabetic people. A few promising solutions that can help maintain or lower blood glucose levels include:
Managing carbohydrate (sugar) intake: Taking foods that contain fewer carbohydrates may help lower and maintain blood sugar levels in both diabetic and prediabetic individuals.
Maintaining a healthy diet: This includes eating healthy plant foods, healthy fats, and a low-cholesterol diet.
Exercising regularly: Being more physically active will help one lose weight, control blood sugar, and boost their sensitivity towards insulin, thereby helping keep their blood sugar levels under control. Aerobics, strength training, Zumba, yoga, etc. are usually helpful.
Managing stress: Stress may cause disturbances in the body’s metabolism, thereby increasing the risk of getting diabetes. Practicing stress-relieving exercises such as walking, bicycling, swimming, yoga, dancing, etc. can help relieve stress.
Drinking plenty of water: Drinking plenty of water may help remove toxins from the body, thereby keeping it hydrated.
Getting enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining good health. Adults need about 7–8 hours of sleep to maintain good health and productivity.
Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly: Regularly checking blood sugar levels and going for regular check-ups helps one avoid long-term health complications.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin hormone and, hence, cannot use blood sugar effectively. Impairment of this hormone causes a rise in blood sugar levels, leading to several health conditions. It can be diagnosed with the help of various tests, including HOMA-IR, HbA1c, FBS, etc. Antidiabetic medications and lifestyle modifications help manage blood sugars and their associated complications.