Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Symptoms of high blood sugar include:
· Frequent urination,
· Increased thirst, and
· Increased hunger.
Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced. There are three main types of diabetes
mellitus:
Type 1 DM results from the pancreas's failure to produce enough insulin. The cause is unknown.
Type 2 DM begins with insulin resistance (a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly). As the disease progresses a lack of insulin may also develop. The primary cause is excessive body weight and not enough exercise.
Gestational diabetes, is the third main form and occurs when pregnant women without a previous history of diabetes develop high blood-sugar levels.
As of 2015, an estimated 415 million people have diabetes worldwide, with type 2 DM making up about 90% of the cases. This represents 8.3% of the adult population, with equal rates in both women and men. Diabetes at least doubles a person’s risk of death.
Risk factors (things that make you likely to get the disease) for diabetes depend on the type of diabetes
The risk factors for type 1 diabetes are still being researched. Factors that may signal an increased risk include:
Family history.
Environmental factors.
The presence of damaging immune system cells (autoantibodies).
Dietary factors. These include low vitamin D consumption, early exposure to cow's milk or cow's milk formula, and exposure to cereals before 4 months of age. None of these factors has been shown to directly cause type 1 diabetes.
Geography. Certain countries, such as Finland and Sweden, have higher rates of type 1 diabetes.
Several risk factors have been associated with type 2 diabetes and include:
Family history of diabetes.
Overweight.
Unhealthy diet.
Physical inactivity.
Increasing age.
High blood pressure.
Ethnicity (Although it's unclear why, people of certain races — including blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian-Americans — are at higher risk).
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
History of gestational diabetes.
Poor nutrition during pregnancy.
Any pregnant woman can develop gestational diabetes, but some women are at greater risk than are others. Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:
Age (Women older than age 25)
Family or personal history.
Weight (Being overweight before pregnancy increases your risk).
Race (women who are black, Hispanic, American Indian or Asian are more likely to develop gestational diabetes).
There is no known preventive measure for type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented by being of normal body weight, regular physical exercise, and eating a healthy diet. Dietary changes known to be effective in helping to prevent diabetes include a diet rich in whole grains and fiber, and choosing good fats, such as polyunsaturated fats found in nuts, vegetable oils, and fish. Limiting sugary beverages and eating less red meat and other sources of saturated fat can also help in the prevention of diabetes. Active smoking is also associated with an increased risk of diabetes, so smoking cessation can be an important preventive measure as well.
Possible complications include:
Heart disease.
Nerve damage (neuropathy).
Kidney damage (nephropathy).
Eye damage (retinopathy).
Foot damage (diabetic foot ulcer).
Skin conditions.
Hearing impairment.
Alzheimer's disease (progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain).
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