Health Care: “Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes And Cure”

Health Care: “Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes And Cure”

Diabetes is a life long disorder and the doctors also prefer combination of drugs than mono therapies to ensure better glycemic control for better patience compliance and also to reduce the risk of side effects. Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes) is characterized by hyperglycemia, which means high levels of glucose in the blood. This condition occurs due to inability of pancreas to produce enough insulin. The normal range is 80-140 mg/dl. In DM patients FBG (Fasting blood glucose) and PPBG (post parandial blood glucose) tests are to be done at regular intervals to check the glucose levels.

Diabetes occurs in all ages, even in the newborn babies and infants. As per the latest survey one out of every tenth person is set to diabetic. Diabetes is believed to be the fastest growing disorder in comparison to cardiovascular diseases. A healthy with a balanced diet

Types of Diabetes

Type I Diabetes Mellitus

 In this the patients have little or no insulin secretion from the pancreas. The patients are dependent on exogenous insulin for glycemic control and prevention. Formerly it was known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or “juvenile onset diabetes”.

Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Though the patients have capacity to secrete insulin, the insulin levels are low compared to the glucose levels. This was formerly known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or “adult – onset diabetes”.

Most of the type II diabetics produce insulin but the amount is inadequate or the insulin receptors are unable to produce insulin. This phenomenon is known as insulin resistance. More than 90% of people suffer from this type of diabetes and are usually overweight.

Management of Diabetes

The following conditions should be simultaneously treated.

Ø  Glycemic control with diet, lifestyle, exercise, medication.

Ø  Associated conditions like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and coronary heart disease.

Ø  Complications are screened for retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, and neuropathy.

Treatment

The drugs, which are treated for DM, are sulfonylureas, which enhance insulin secretion at beta cells in the pancreas. The other class of drugs, which are available for treatment, are biguanides, which reduces excessive hepatic glucose production. The latest class of drugs that are more often used are thiazolidiones, which acts as insulin sensitizer.

Most common symptoms in DM

Ø  Neuropathy is degeneration of nerve tissues commonly caused by diabetes drug side effects and nutritional deficiencies. The most common symptoms of chronic neuropathy includes burning pain, numbness, and weakness of extremities.

Ø  Diabetic Neuropathy is a painful condition, which usually affects the extremities, namely the lower legs.

Ø  The pain could be sharp with burning sensation that will wake the diabetic patient in the middle of the night. This symptom is more encountered in long term diabetes.

The drugs that are used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy is methyl cobalamin, which helps in rejuvenation of neurons and has excellent anti-oxidative properties. The duration of treatment could be from 2 months to 2 yrs depending upon the severity of neuropathy.

Precautions to be taken 

Ø  To check glucose levels once in a month.

Ø  To have diet suggested by the doctor at short intervals.

Ø  Never skip medication.

Ø  Do regular exercise, walking and lead a normal life.

Ø  Never go barefooted.

Ø  Incase the healing process is extended for longer time immediately consult a physician.