Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, known as Diabetes, is a class of diseases that damage how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). The function of glucose is vital for your health; it is an essential energy source for the cells that create tissues and muscles. Glucose is the primary source of fuel for your brain.

There are different types of Diabetes, which can lead to excess sugar in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood can cause serious health problems.

Chronic Diabetic diseases include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Reversible diabetic diseases include prediabetes; which happens when the blood sugar level is higher than average. However, it is not high enough to be classified as Diabetes. Gestational Diabetes occurs during pregnancy but can be cured once the baby is born.

Causes of Diabetes

• Diabetes type 1 (once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes)

There's no exact cause for Type 1 Diabetes. The immune system fights off harmful bacteria or viruses, destroying the cells that make insulin in the pancreas, leaving your body with little or no insulin. Sugar accumulates in the bloodstream instead of being transported to your cells.

• Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

Cells become resistant to insulin's action, and the pancreas cannot make the insulin it needs. This causes sugar to build up in the bloodstream instead of passing into the cells necessary for energy.

It is believed that it is a consequence of various genetic and environmental factors. Being overweight is one of the causes of the development of type 2 diabetes, but not all overweight people have diabetes.

Prediabetes means you have a high sugar level in your blood. It is not yet high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes, but without a lifestyle change, adults and children with prediabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

• Gestational diabetes

During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to aid in pregnancy. Hormones allow your cells to become more resistant to insulin.

The pancreas generally produces less extra insulin to overcome this resistance. Despite this, sometimes the pancreas cannot keep up, causing insufficient glucose to reach cells and remain in the blood; this can cause gestational diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Symptoms vary depending on the type of Diabetes and the amount of rising sugar. In general, patients with prediabetes or type 2 Diabetes do not usually have symptoms at first. Symptoms of type 1 Diabetes typically appear quickly and are more severe. 

The following are the most common symptoms of type 1 and type 2 Diabetes:

• Increased appetite 

• Fatigue 

• Slow-healing wounds 

• Irritability Frequent infections

• Excessive thirst 

• Unexplained weight loss 

• Ketones in the urine 

• Blurry vision

• Frequent urge to urinate 

Type 1 Diabetes can appear at any age. However, it is most common during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common Diabetes, it is more common in people over 40 years of age.

Risk factors of Diabetes

Diabetes type 1

• Family background

• Environmental factors

• Cells of the immune system that cause damage

• Geographic location, some countries, such as Sweden and Finland, have higher rates of type 1 diabetes

Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

• Family background

• Age, as you get older, you have a high probability of developing it

• Weight

• High blood pressure

• Race and people of Asian, African, Hispanic, and Indian-American descent are at higher risk for it

• Physical inactivity

• Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels

• Gestational diabetes, in case of having had gestational diabetes in pregnancy, the risk of having prediabetes and type 2 diabetes increases

• Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common disease characterized by irregular menstrual periods, abundant hair growth and obesity

• Gestational diabetes

Diagnosis for Diabetes

The Endocrinologist will perform a physical exam, asking questions about your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history.

The class of tests to be performed will depend on the results of your Diagnosis.

Following are some of the possible tests that the endocrinologist could perform:
Most of these tests are done in a Laboratory.

• The glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test indicates your average blood sugar level in the last two to three months. A result of an A1C level of 6.5% or higher on the test indicates you have diabetes. A level between 5.7% and 6.4% means that you have prediabetes. Below, 5.7 is considered normal.

• Random blood sugar test, used in case the A1C test is inaccurate or unavailable.

• Fasting blood sugar test

• Oral glucose tolerance test

• Urinalysis

• Gestational diabetes tests

• Initial glucose load test

Treatment for Diabetes 

The treatment administered by your Endocrinologist varies depending on the type of diabetes you have. Standard treatment options include: 

• Medicines to control blood sugar 

• Eat a healthy diet 

• Eat vegetables and fruits 

• Eat foods that are rich in fiber. Reduce the consumption of saturated fat

• Keep a healthy weight. 

• Exercise regularly. 

Treatments for Type 1 and 2 Diabetes 

• Insulin injections, or an insulin pump, allow controlling the level of sugar in the blood, and the calculation of carbohydrates.

• Take the A1C test at least every two or three months 

• Medicines 

• Pancreas transplant 

• Bariatric surgery, people who suffer from obesity and with a body mass index greater than 35 can have good results with this type of surgery. 

Treatment for Gestational Diabetes 

• Maintain a healthy diet 

• Do exercises recommended by your doctor

• Control of blood sugar level 

• If it's necessary, the endocrinologist can prescribe insulin or oral medications. 

Treatment for prediabetes 

• Maintain a healthy diet 

• Exercise regularly 

• Medicines, such as metformin 

• Medicines for Cholesterol Control 

Living with Diabetes

When you have already been diagnosed with Diabetes, follow the treatment provided by your Endocrinologist. Living a healthy lifestyle can help you control this disease.

Some things to consider that could help improve the quality of life are:

• Eat healthily. You can go to a Nutritionist to make a plan that suits your needs.

• Go to your appointments with the Endocrinologist.

• Reduce stress

• Keeping up with your vaccines

• In the case of consuming alcohol, do it moderately

• Do not smoke

• Do regular exercise 

¿When do you have to see a doctor?

Make your appointment with the Endocrinologist if you present any of the characteristics and symptoms mentioned or detect another abnormal symptom.

When consulting your Endocrinologist, we recommend keeping a record of your pain with a detailed description of the symptoms, duration, and what you think triggered them. Mention any medications that you are taking.

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