INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus or DM refers to a group of diseases related to glucose levels in your blood. Diabetes mellitus affects the digestion and assimilation of glucose in one’s body. Diabetes is included in lifestyle diseases.
In diabetes mellitus, the amount of free glucose in the blood increases above normal and thus leads to further complications.
TYPES OF DIABETES MELLITUS
There are mainly 3 types of diabetes mellitus, called as
Type 1 Diabetes mellitus- It was earlier called juvenile diabetes. It’s an autoimmune disease detected earlier in age, hence the name. In this case, the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, meddling with glucose metabolism and increasing blood sugar levels.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus- This is the most common type of diabetes seen worldwide. It was earlier called as adult-onset diabetes, as it was detected during adulthood than in earlier years, hence the name. It is characterized by high blood sugar, decreased insulin levels and insulin resistance.
Gestational diabetes- This kind of diabetes is exclusively seen in pregnant women, hence the name. It usually reverses after pregnancy, but in some cases, it might lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus after pregnancy.
CAUSES OF DIABETES MELLITUS
The causes of diabetes mellitus can vary from genetic to lifestyle. Diabetes can be of short onset or long onset depending on the type. Here are some of the causes of diabetes mellitus.
- Hereditary factors
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Autoimmune diseases
- Pregnancy in case of gestational diabetes
- Obesity
- Insulin reduction
- Hormonal imbalance
- Insulin resistance
- Genetics
- Dietary factors
- Unhealthy lifestyle
- Secondary causes such as pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis
- Surgery which includes partial or complete removal of the pancreas.
- DNA mutations
- Micro and macro nutrient assimilation issues
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES MELLITUS
All three types of diabetes mellitus have their exclusive symptoms but here are a few common symptoms seen in the case of diabetes mellitus condition.
- Increased glucose levels
- Increased thirst
- General weakness of body
- Weight Loss
- Increased urination
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Skin issue
- Delayed wound healing
- Body weight issues
- Confusion
- Cognitive issues
DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES MELLITUS
Diabetes mellitus needs clinical as well as laboratory diagnosis. It is always better to do periodic screening tests to identify the issue early.
- Clinical diagnosis- The physician will ask for personal, and family history and coordinate with your current signs and symptoms to clinically diagnose diabetes mellitus.
- Other than clinical diagnosis, the lab tests also confirm diabetes mellitus
- Fasting glucose levels
- HBA1c tests
- Plasma glucose levels
TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS
- Treatment of diabetes mellitus includes management of high blood sugar levels.
- Care must be taken not to go to hypoglycaemia, low blood sugar levels
- Creating a better lifestyle
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- In case of decreased insulin levels, external insulin is given
- Symptomatic management of secondary complications arising from diabetes mellitus.
- Weight loss
- Obesity management
- Surgical methods
IS DIABETES CONTAGIOUS?
According to WHO, diabetes is one of the major four non-communicable diseases, the other majors being cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE- Contagious diseases are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through touch, physical contact, air droplets, etc.
Diabetes is not a contagious disease. It is a metabolic disease.
Is type 1 diabetes contagious?
Diabetes type 1 is mainly autoimmune, it is when the body misinterprets the pancreatic cells which produce insulin as a threat and destroys them. But they are not contagious.
Is type 2 diabetes contagious?
Diabetes type 2 is genetic and lifestyle-based. It can occur due to poor lifestyle choices and other factors. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is not contagious.
SUMMARY
Diabetes mellitus or DM refers to a group of diseases related to glucose levels in your blood. Diabetes mellitus affects the digestion and assimilation of glucose in one’s body. Diabetes is included in lifestyle diseases. Contagious diseases are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through touch, physical contact, air droplets, etc. Diabetes is not a contagious disease. It is a metabolic disease.
