Introduction
Diabetes is a chronic condition that is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels in bloodstream. It is a metabolic condition, affecting the body’s ability to make or utilize insulin hormone( Insulin is one of the many hormones used in regulation of glucose).
Epidemiology
Diabetes is among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases globally. It affect lives of 530+ million adult human beings.
37.3 million people in the United States of America suffer from diabetes, which is roughly 11% of the total population. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, representing 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases.
In 2021, it was responsible for over 6 million deaths making it the ninth leading cause of death in that year.
The population of people affected by diabetes has risen sharply in the past few decades, rising from 100 million in the 1980s to 500 million in 2021, a five-fold increase.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, more than 90% of total cases.
Risk factors
Risk factors for developing diabetes include;
- Obesity/ over-weight individuals,
- Physical inactivity,
- Unhealthy diet,
- Family history.
Types
Several forms of diabetes. For example;
- Gestational diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Type 3c diabetes
- Neonatal diabetes
- Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults(LADA)
- Maturity-onset diabetes of the young(MODY)
- Brittle diabetes
Causes
Several factors can cause Diabetes, which are;
- Insulin resistance
- AI disease
- Hormonal imbalances
- Pancreatic damage
- Genetic mutations
Signs & Symptoms
- Increased thirst (polydipsia) and dry mouth.
- Frequent urination.
- Fatigue.
- Blurred vision.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
- Slow-healing sores or cuts.
- Frequent skin and/or vaginal yeast infections
Diagnosis
Health care practitioners diagnose diabetes by checking blood glucose levels.
Tests are conducted, which include;
- Fasting blood glucose test- level measured after 8 hours of fasting. It is an important test as it provides baseline blood sugar concentration
- Random blood glucose test- tested anytime of the day or night, even when patient is full with food
- Glycated haemoglobin test- also called A1c or HbA1C . Enables knowing of average level of blood glucose for over past 2 months.
- Oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)- Gestational diabetes
Management & Treatment
- Oral Diabetes medications- Metformin
- Insulin for Type 1 diabetes patients
- Diet- limit intake of sugary foods
- Physical exercise to raise insulin sensitivity
Prevention
- Avoid smoking cigarettes
- Limit alcohol intake
- Sleep for enough amount of time- 7 to 9 hours
- Physical activity for 30-60 minutes per day
- Maintain normal BMI- body mass index.
- Take drugs as intended by your doctor
- Regularly measure your blood sugar level.