As per the official data, the last decade has seen an alarming rise in the incidence of diabetes - from 30 million patients, to 230 million. It has not only taken thousands of lives and impaired millions more, it has also severely taxed the health care systems worldwide. Therefore, it has become imperative for people to be aware of its nuances so that they can deal with it better.

What is Diabetes?

To live and work, we need energy. This energy comes in the form of glucose obtained from the digestion of the food we eat. To convert this glucose into energy, a particular hormone is required known as insulin. Insulin is produced by a particular gland in the body called pancreas.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. As a result, the glucose obtained from the digestion of the food we eat, is not converted into energy. Consequently, it gets accumulated in the blood sending the blood sugar level to dangerously high levels. If untreated, it may also lead to blindness, kidney failure, weakening of the immune system and malfunctioning of islet cells.

What are the Variations in Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus shows two variations: idiopathic or primary and secondary. Secondary diabetes is also known as gestational diabetes and is a temporary condition which occurs during pregnancy.

Idiopathic diabetes is of two types: Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or Type I and Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes (NIDDM) or Type II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the occurance of keto-acidosis. It is also called juvenile onset diabetes as it often manifests itself in childhood. It happens because of an autoimmune destruction of the b-cells of the pancreas. Type II diabetes, on the other hand, is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. It is also known as adult onset diabetes as it often manifests itself after 40.It is a result of some genetic defects that cause insulin resistance and insulin deficiency.

Diet and Exercise

Diabetes can be managed with a healthy lifestyle with moderate exercise and balanced diet consisting of sufficient carbohydrates and soluble fibers but low in protein.

Help

Sometimes the occurrence of diabetes, particularly type I, is rather abrupt. It may result into a disorder called keto acidosis, a medically serious condition. The typical diabetes symptoms are loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, excessive urination altered consciousness and even coma. If these symptoms appear, you must seek immediate medical help.

Diabetes may be a serious disease, but it’s not unmanageable. With proper lifestyle and diet, combined with medical help, diabetics can lead a perfectly healthy and happy life.

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