Diabetes: Definition, Symptoms, and Management

Definition and Classification

• Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood sugar levels due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.
• There are several types of diabetes:
  1. Type 1 Diabetes: Autoimmune disease, body does not produce insulin.
  2. Type 2 Diabetes: Most common type, body does not produce enough insulin or is resistant to insulin.
  3. Gestational Diabetes: Develops during pregnancy, usually in the third trimester.
  4. LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults): A form of type 1 diabetes that develops in adults.
  5. MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young): A rare form of diabetes caused by genetic mutations.

Symptoms

• Common symptoms:
  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow healing of cuts and wounds
  • Frequent infections
• Symptoms may be absent or mild in people with type 2 diabetes.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Type 1 Diabetes: Genetics, autoimmune response, environmental factors.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Obesity, physical inactivity, genetics, age, ethnicity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol.
• Gestational Diabetes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, obesity, family history.

Diagnosis

• Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test: Measures blood sugar levels after an overnight fast.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar levels after consuming a sugary drink.
• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test: Measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.

Treatment and Management

• Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin therapy, diet, exercise.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Diet, exercise, oral medications, insulin therapy (if necessary).
• Lifestyle Changes: Healthy diet, regular exercise, weight loss, stress management.
• Medications: Oral medications, injectable medications, insulin therapy.
• Monitoring: Regular blood sugar checks, HbA1c tests, monitoring for complications.

Complications

• Microvascular Complications: Retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy.
• Macrovascular Complications: Heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease.
• Other Complications: Foot ulcers, depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment.