Diabetis Mellitus
What is diabetis :
The concentration of blood sugar above a particular limit is called as diabetis.
Recent guidelines suggest concentration of any sugar Fasting.Post prandial or
Random > 200 mg/dl is called as diabtis.
What are the symptoms of diabetis
Diabetis is supsected in cases of weight loss, weight gain , increased frequency of urination,
Increased thirst, itching of skin or rashes over skin, Non healing or slowly healing wounds.
Kindly note that even without these symptoms Diabetis may be there.
What causes Diabetis
In abdominal portion there is an organ called pancreas. Beta cells from pancreas secrete
An enzyme called Insulin.This insulin regulates sugar levels. Whenever there is inadequate production of insulin or when The body developes insulin resistance , the blood sugar level increases and results into diabetis.
Apart from this diabetis can get developed in people with overweight and sedentary
Lifestyle, stress, pregnancy can also induce diabetis.
What are the types of Diabetis
Diabetis is classified as
Type 1 ( also called insulin dependant ) IDDM
Type 2 ( Non insulin dependant)
Gestational Diabetis ( Pregnancy induced diabetis)
Diabetis has got genetic inheritance especialy in cases of IDDM
Hence family history of diabetis in close family including parents,grandparents
And siblings is important.
What are tests in Diabetis
Mainly measurement of fasting blood sugar and post prandial blood sugar is important.
Apart from blood sugar levels HBA1C is very important test in monitoring and diagnosing
Diabetis and is a test of choice nowadays.
How to test for Diabetis
Usualy the tests are advised as
Blood sugar fasting
Blood sugar post prandial
Fasting is required overnight of 10-12 hrs and Post Prandial sample is to be given between
11/2 to 2 hrs following lunch.
Hba1c is avaerage sugar of 2-3 months and can be given anytime.
No particular timing is needed to give sample of Hba1c
Insulin Fasting or post prandial
C peptide Fasting or post prandial are also important related tests needed during
Monitoring of the condition as per eveluation by treating physician.
Complications in diabetis
If remained uncontrolled or untreated diabetis affects vital syatems of the body
Mainly Eyes,Blood vessels, Nerves .Kidney.
So the risk of developing Diabetic retinopathy, Cardiovasular diseases and Neuropathies,
Renal damage increases multifold.
Prevention and care
Periodic check ups for sugar including HBA1C specialy are important.
Once diagnosed regular consumption of medication and follow up with
Treating physician is must.
In general few things are useful like
Regular exercise/Walking/Swimming
Regular meals preferably at specific timings .
Eating healthy foods like fruits,salads, geen vegetables.
Avoiding junk foods like fast foods,fried food, sweets, bakery products.
At age like 30 yrs and above preventive check up plan to be followed
At least once in a year.
Ranges for Blood Sugar
Fasting 60-110
Post Prandial 100-150
Random upto 150
Urine Micral Test
Negative Less than 20
Positive More than 20
Hba1c Test
Normal 4 to 5.6
Prediabetic 5.7 to 6.4
Diabetic > 6.5