For your first visit, you should carry the following things:
- A detailed list of your symptoms
- Any recent medical investigations such as blood tests, etc (less than 1 year).
- A list of medications you are currently taking.
- Your insurance details or company ID in case the hospital is on your health panel.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease where the blood sugar levels are high. If untreated, it leads to serious complications affecting major organs of the body.
Glucose, found in carbohydrates, is a major source of fuel. We need insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, for appropriate utilization of glucose in the body. Any disturbance in the production or action of insulin leads toa rise in blood glucose.
Different types of diabetes are caused due to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
Depending on the genetic & environmental cause of diabetes, there are different types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: This is an autoimmune disorder where the insulin secreting cells of the pancreas gets destroyed due to an inappropriate response of the defense system. As a result insulin production from the pancreas stops. It is seen most commonly in young children and was previously known as juvenile diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Insulin resistance is a condition in which the cells do not respond normally to insulin. Insulin resistance results in decreased absorption of glucose into the cells. Insulin resistance in combination with a partial deficiency of insulin secretion from pancreas is believed to be responsible for development of type 2 diabetes. It was previously a disease which was limited to adults but now it is common in people of all ages including children.
- Gestational diabetes mellitus occurs due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and usually resolves after the delivery.
If one suffers from type 1 diabetes, the mainstay of therapy is insulin injection as discontinuation of insulin may result in life threatening diabetic emergencies like diabetic ketoacidosis. Till today’s date, there is very little that can be done to restart insulin production from pancreas in type 1 diabetes. The main focus should be on timely administration of correct dosage of insulin and periodic health check up.
Those with type 2 diabetes should adopt a low-sugar and low fat diet; maintain a regular exercise regimen, take timely medicines and schedule timely follow ups with treating doctor.
Diabetes, if unchecked, leads to complications that involve multiple organs.
- Increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart attacks, strokes & atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries)
- Eye damage – Retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, blindness.
- Kidney damage, which can lead to end-stage kidney disease or renal failure.
- Nerve damage – tingling numbness, pain or burning sensation in limbs
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Diabetic foot disease that may lead to gangrene, resulting
- Increased risk of bacterial and fungal skin infections
- Poor wound healing in amputation.
To check yourself for diabetes, run through a list of symptoms:
If you suspect Diabetes:
High blood glucose cause symptoms like frequency of urination, increased appetite, increased thirst, weight loss, easy fatigability, blurred vision, dryness of skin, recurrent yeast infections
If you suspect Diabetes Type 1: Above mentioned symptoms occurring in a child can be a clue to type 1 diabetes. Sometimes with very high glucose in type 1 diabetes, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath and drowsiness can occur, a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.
If you suspect Diabetes Type 2: Type 2 diabetes can remain silent and is often detected during a routine health check up. If the blood glucose levels are high, the above mentioned symptoms can also occur in type 2 diabetes.
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.
If you have diabetes you must consult a nutritionist and get a diet plan that suits your lifestyle. Diabetic diet should be low in simple sugars and rich in fiber.
Depending on the type of diabetes & your health status, your doctor may prescribe oral tablets, insulin injections or insulin pump that will help control your diabetes.
In additions to medication, diet-control and exercise are important part of the treatment for diabetes.
If you are suffering from diabetes type 1, you will need to take insulin for your entire life as till date there is no other accepted treatment option.
If you are suffering from diabetes type 2, the most likely scenario is you will need lifelong medication. After controlling your diet and exercising regularly, you might require fewer medicines. In early stages of diabetes lifestyle change can control blood glucose.