Diabetes: Symptoms and Causes

Overview

• Diabetes mellitus: Group of diseases affecting blood sugar (glucose) usage.
• Importance of Glucose: Main energy source for cells, crucial for muscles and brain.
• Types of Diabetes:
  • Chronic:
    • Type 1 Diabetes
    • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Potentially Reversible:
    • Prediabetes: Higher than normal blood sugar, not high enough for diabetes, can lead to diabetes without intervention.
    • Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy, may resolve post-birth.

Symptoms

• Variability: Symptoms depend on blood sugar levels; less noticeable in prediabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 2 diabetes.
• Common Symptoms for Type 1 and Type 2:
  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Presence of ketones in urine
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Irritability or mood changes
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow-healing sores
  • Frequent infections (gum, skin, vaginal)
• Age of Onset:
  • Type 1: Often starts in childhood or teens.
  • Type 2: More common in adults over 40, increasing in children.

When to See a Doctor

• Notice symptoms or if diagnosed, seek medical follow-up.

Causes

Insulin Function

• Insulin: Hormone from pancreas allowing glucose to enter cells, lowers blood sugar.
• Glucose: Comes from food and liver, used for energy.
  • Liver converts glycogen to glucose when needed.

Cause of Diabetes

• Sugar accumulates in bloodstream due to insufficient insulin.
• Possible genetic and environmental factors, specifics unclear.

Risk Factors

• Vary by diabetes type; family history significant.
• Type 1 Diabetes: Geographic and unknown environmental factors.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Higher risk in certain ethnic groups, obesity.

Complications

• Develop over time, worsened by prolonged uncontrolled blood sugar.
• Long-term Complications:
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy)
  • Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy)
  • Eye damage (diabetic retinopathy)
  • Foot damage
  • Skin, mouth infections
  • Hearing impairment
  • Alzheimer's disease risk
  • Depression
• Gestational Diabetes Complications:
  • For Baby: Excess growth, low blood sugar, type 2 diabetes later, possible death.
  • For Mother: Preeclampsia, recurrence in future pregnancies.

Prevention

• Type 1: Not preventable.
• Prediabetes, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes:
  • Eat healthy (low fat/calories, high fiber)
  • Regular physical activity (150 mins/week)
  • Weight loss if overweight
• Medications: Metformin may reduce type 2 diabetes risk, but lifestyle changes are crucial.
• Monitoring: Annual blood sugar checks for those with prediabetes.