What is Diabetes, Its Treatment And Cure

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. It is characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood, either because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Types of Diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes:
   • Autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
   • Requires lifelong insulin therapy.
   • Commonly diagnosed in children and young adults.
2. Type 2 Diabetes:
   • The body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas doesn’t produce enough.
   • Often linked to obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetics.
   • More common in adults but increasingly seen in children.
3. Gestational Diabetes:
   • Develops during pregnancy.
   • Usually resolves after childbirth but increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later.
4. Prediabetes:
   • Blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes

• Increased thirst and hunger.
• Frequent urination.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Blurred vision.
• Slow healing of wounds.
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet (in Type 2).

Treatment of Diabetes

1. Lifestyle Changes:

• Diet: Focus on a balanced diet with whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and control weight.
• Weight Management: Losing even 5-10% of body weight can significantly improve Type 2 diabetes management.

2. Medications:

• Type 1 Diabetes:
  • Insulin therapy (via injections or pumps) is mandatory.
  • Types of insulin: Rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting.
• Type 2 Diabetes:
  • Oral Medications:
    • Metformin (improves insulin sensitivity).
    • Sulfonylureas (stimulate insulin production).
    • SGLT2 inhibitors (help kidneys excrete glucose).
    • DPP-4 inhibitors (help control blood sugar).
  • Injectables:
    • GLP-1 receptor agonists (improve insulin secretion and reduce appetite).
    • Insulin (in advanced stages).

3. Monitoring:

• Regular blood sugar checks using glucometers or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
• A1C test every 3-6 months to assess average blood sugar levels over time.

4. Advanced Treatments:

• Bariatric Surgery: Effective for obese Type 2 diabetics.
• Pancreas Transplant: Rarely done, mainly in severe Type 1 diabetes.
• Artificial Pancreas: Closed-loop insulin delivery system.

Cure for Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes:

• Currently, there is no cure. Management focuses on insulin therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
• Research in immunotherapy and beta-cell transplantation holds promise.

Type 2 Diabetes:

• No “cure,” but it can be reversed in some cases through:
  • Significant weight loss (via diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery).
  • Maintaining a low-calorie, low-carb diet for prolonged periods.
• If reversed, careful monitoring is still needed to prevent relapse.

Gestational Diabetes:

• Resolves after childbirth in most cases. However, it requires careful monitoring during pregnancy.

Complications of Uncontrolled Diabetes

1. Short-term:
   • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
   • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Type 1 diabetes.
   • Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) in Type 2 diabetes.
2. Long-term:
   • Cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, stroke).
   • Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy).
   • Eye damage (retinopathy, potential blindness).
   • Nerve damage (neuropathy).
   • Foot problems (ulcers, infections leading to amputation).

Prevention of Diabetes

• For Type 2 and Prediabetes:
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eat a balanced diet low in refined carbs and sugars.
  • Exercise regularly (150 minutes/week of moderate activity).
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.

Author: Azaad Goal