Diabetes Mellitus: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment

 Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

        Diabetes Mellitus (DM) refers to the situation with high levels of glucose in the blood due to decreased secretion of a hormone called insulin from the pancreas. It is a serious disorder leading to many other disorders like cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and overall reduced immunity. In addition to vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, it also has a great impact on cognitive dysfunctioning. Some of the latest studies reveal that 26.8 million (10.5%) population of USA, more than 4 million individuals of UK, more than 33 million peoples of Pakistan and many other not only developing but developed countries also are suffering from this curse. Overall global prevalence of diabetes according to a latest study is 537 million peoples.

        Our main focus in this article mainly is to hint out the reasons, prevention and cure of the DM, starting from the mechanism involved in its onset.

        Pancreas is the organ which act as both endocrine and exocrine gland. One of its main secretions is Insulin. The INS gene in humans encodes the peptide hormone insulin, which is generated by beta cells in the pancreatic islets. It is regarded as the body's primary anabolic hormone. It breaks down the extra glucose in blood and hence lowers the blood glucose level converting it into glycogen. But somehow, the insulin secretion is disturbed or if secreted in sufficient amount but is unable to break the glucose molecules efficiently, it results in what we call as diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

• sudden weight loss
• blurred vision
• lethargy
• numbness 
• tingling of feet and hands
• feel hungry
• feel thirsty
• elevated rate of infections of gut, vagina ets....
• frequent urination

   Causes of Diabetes

• Genetics
• intake of high glycemic foods frequently
• obesity
• hormonal imbalance
• pancreatic cancer
• pancreatic infection or inflammation

Tests for diagnosing Diabetes

• BGC test
• FGC- fasting blood glucose concentration
• glycated hemoglobin A1C or HbA1C test
• C-peptide test

Prevention of Diabetes

        Diabetes can easily be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating foods with less or limited glycemic index, maintaining a healthy weight i.e. it not should be either overweight or underweight, or by simply sustaining a healthy or normal BMI (between 19.5-24.5 kg/m2) can help prevent the diabetes whether it is type-1, type-2 or gestational diabetes. Following foods can be used to prevent diabetes.

1. Poultry with skin.
2. Regular cheeses.
3. Deep-fried tofu.
4. Pork bacon.
5. Higher-fat cuts of meat, such as ribs.
6. Deep-fried fish.
7. Beans prepared with lard.
8. Fried meats.

Treatment of Diabetes

        You may control and treat your diabetes with a variety of therapies. Because each person is unique, the type of therapy you receive will depend on your particular requirements.

• surgery for weight loss
• insulin pumps or insulin shots
• regular exercise
• diet with low glycemic content
• psychological support
• islet cell transplant