What is diabetes and how to detect it?

Source : topnews.in

What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a silent chronic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar levels either due to defective insulin secretion or action or both. It is associated with altered metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. 

There are two major types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (earlier called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes), usually develops in children or young adults. In this type the body completely stops producing insulin, the hormone that enables the body to use glucose found in food into energy, due to damage to insulin producing cells (beta cells) of the pancreas. 

In type 2 diabetes (earlier called adult-onset or non insulin-dependent diabetes), the body produces some insulin, but it is not enough and moreover there is insulin resistance, which means that the available insulin does not work properly. This type is mostly seen in adults, although it is being increasingly detected in younger age groups also. Type 2 diabetes is believed to have a strong genetic component and this type of diabetes is usually seen in people with a family history of diabetes. Compared to Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 95% of cases globally, frequency of Type 1 diabetes is relatively low (<5%). In both types of diabetes, the signs and symptoms are similar.

Symptoms of diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes may begin gradually and can be difficult to identify at first. Thus, diabetes is, most of the times, undiagnosed.

The symptoms include:

    * Being very thirsty
    * Frequent urination
    * Weight loss
    * Excessive hunger
    * Blurry vision
    * Irritability
    * Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
    * Frequent skin, bladder or gum infections
    * Delay in healing of wounds
    * Itching in the genital areas
    * Extreme unexplained fatigue

The primary symptoms exhibited in type 1 diabetes could be nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are due to diabetes ketoacidosis which leads to breaking down of energy giving muscles and tissues, thus resulting in loss of weight. This leads to severe electrolyte disturbances and dehydration, which may have a poor prognosis and could even lead to coma and death. 

The symptoms observed in diabetes are quickly relieved once it is diagnosed and treated and also reduces the chance of developing serious complications. It must be remembered however that up to 50% of patients with diabetes may not have any symptoms at all! Such patients are detected on routine investigations such as the pre-employment master health checkup or because of a family history of diabetes. In this case, people can live for months, even years without knowing they have the disease. Often diabetes comes on so gradually that symptoms may not even be recognized; hence the term `silent killer` is used to describe diabetes.

Diagnosis of diabetes
Approximately 50% of people with type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed. As there may not be any apparent symptoms, the diagnosis is usually made during an annual medical checkup. Type 2 diabetes may remain undetected for several years, and by the time of its diagnosis, many people unfortunately have one or more complications of diabetes. Hence the high-risk group for developing diabetes should be screened for diabetes at regular intervals.

Who are at high risk of Type 2 diabetes?
People who

    * Are overweight
    * Are over 35 years old
    * Have a family history of diabetes
    * Are physically inactive
    * Are on steroids
    * Are under a lot of stress
    * Have hypertension
    * Have had diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to at least one baby weighing over 4.5 Kgs

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