high blood sugar: Diabetes develops when your body’s cells are unable to absorb sugar (glucose) and use it as fuel. As a result, your bloodstream begins to accumulate excess sugar. Mismanagement of diabetes can have serious effects, including damage to your heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and many other body organs and tissues.
The disease comes in two main forms. Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, usually develops in childhood. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), most often develops after the age of 40 and becomes more prevalent as people age.
Dr. Manish Maheshwari, Consultant Internal Medicine at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat spoke to Zee News Digital and discussed the risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis of this metabolic blood sugar disease.
What is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by a deficiency in the body’s ability to produce or respond to insulin and maintain healthy levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce or use insulin in sufficient amounts, leading to abnormally high blood sugar (glucose) levels.
To differentiate the disease from diabetes insipidus, doctors often refer to it as diabetes mellitus rather than just diabetes. Similar to diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus is a very uncommon condition that causes increased urination but has no effect on blood sugar levels.
symptoms of diabetes mellitus
– increased thirst
– increased urination
– increased appetite
People can lose weight even if they don’t try.
– Damages the nerves and causes problems with the sense of touch.
– blurred vision
– drowsiness
– Nausea
Decreased stamina during exercise
What causes diabetes mellitus?
When blood glucose levels exceed 160 to 180 mg/dL (8.9 to 10.0 mmol/L), glucose spills into the urine. When the amount of glucose in the urine increases, the kidneys excrete more water to dilute the high concentration of glucose. People with diabetes urinate a lot because their kidneys produce too much urine (polyuria). Abnormal thirst (polydipsia) due to increased urination. People may lose weight as a result of excessive caloric loss through urine. People often experience increased appetite as a way of coping.
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How is diabetes mellitus tested?
Measuring blood glucose levels determines the level of diabetes in the body and indicates diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes is diagnosed when a person has abnormally high blood sugar levels. People who have risk factors for diabetes but do not have any symptoms undergo screening tests by doctors such as hemoglobin A1C and oral glucose tolerance test. Blood sugar levels are often checked during a routine physical exam.
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General treatment of diabetes mellitus
– Healthy Diet
– physical exercise (brisk walking for at least 30-45 minutes)
Avoid processed food and simple sugar
simply increasing dietary fiber intake
Limiting the amount of fatty and carbohydrate-rich foods (especially saturated fat)