New Scientific Breakthrough Offers Hope for Better Diabetes Control
Understanding Diabetes and Its Types
Diabetes (also known as “Diabetes Mellitus (DM)”) is a chronic endocrine condition marked by high levels of glucose in the blood. This happens when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly.
Glucose is a form of sugar that serves as the primary energy source for the body. It’s essential for properly functioning muscles, the brain, the heart, and the liver. The body produces glucose by digesting the carbohydrates (large sugar molecules) consumed.
Insulin serves as a hormone or chemical messenger within the body, produced by the pancreas, with its primary function being to facilitate the utilization and storage of glucose within the body. However, individuals with diabetes either lack sufficient insulin production or their bodies have ceased to respond to it. Consequently, blood glucose levels may experience significant fluctuations, rising after a meal and plummeting to dangerously low levels at other times.
Persistent elevation of blood glucose levels may, over an extended period, lead to the development of various health complications, including cardiovascular diseases, strokes, renal failure, and deterioration of vision.
As per a recently updated study by the National NCD Monitoring Survey (NNMS), the rate of diabetes in India was recorded at 9.3% in 2018. Similar estimates have been provided by the IDF, indicating that the prevalence of diabetes was estimated at 9.6% in 2021 and is projected to rise to 10.4% by 2030.
Diabetes appears in different forms, each with unique traits:
- Type 1 diabetes is usually identified during the early years or teenage years, this condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin must be taken continuously by people with type 1 diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes, which is more prevalent among adults, manifests when the body either becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce sufficient amounts. Various factors, including lifestyle choices, genetic predispositions, and excess body weight, influence this condition’s development. Treatment strategies typically encompass lifestyle adjustments, pharmaceutical interventions, and, in certain instances, insulin therapy.
- Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and impacts blood sugar levels. Although it typically resolves postpartum, it heightens the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Prediabetes is a precursor to type 2 diabetes; prediabetes indicates elevated blood glucose levels that are not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Lifestyle modifications can help prevent its progression to type 2 diabetes.
Early identification of diabetes symptoms is crucial for proactive health management. Signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexpected weight loss, persistent fatigue, blurred vision, and slow healing.
Diabetes results from a confluence of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Common causes include obesity, insulin resistance, autoimmune responses, sedentary lifestyles, poor diet choices, and age. Awareness of these causes empowers individuals to adopt preventive measures and make informed lifestyle choices for better diabetes management.
Accurate diagnosis of diabetes is crucial for effective management strategies. Healthcare professionals use clinical assessments and laboratory tests to determine if an individual has diabetes and to what extent.
Diagnosis methods include blood sugar tests, A1c tests, random blood sugar tests, glycated albumin tests, and urine tests for ketones and glucose. Regular monitoring and follow-ups are essential for effective diabetes management.
Why does diabetes cause weight loss?
Unexpected weight loss is a common occurrence in individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, although it can also impact those with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes often has mild early signs that can get worse without treatment, like unexplained weight loss. But many don’t know they have it or ignore it, leading to undiagnosis.
People with diabetes lack insulin, a hormone that facilitates the movement of glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy use. Consequently, the body starts to burn fat and muscle for energy, leading to a reduction in overall body weight.
Nonetheless, various elements can also play a role in weight reduction for individuals with diabetes. For instance, a hyperactive thyroid, specific drugs, stress, and cancer are among these factors.
Insulin Deficiency and Glucose Utilization
- In people with type 1 diabetes, the lack of insulin interferes with the usual way cells absorb glucose for energy.
- Consequently, the body seeks other ways to get energy, like breaking down fat and muscle, which can cause rapid weight loss.
- Interestingly, weight loss can also happen in type 2 diabetes when blood sugar levels are not managed properly, affecting the body’s capacity to use glucose efficiently.
Muscle Loss and Type 2 Diabetes
- The latest research shows that people with type 2 diabetes are especially at risk of losing muscle mass compared to those without diabetes. This is because the destruction of muscle fibers plays a role in losing weight.
- Consequently, this can result in insufficient utilization of glucose by cells, a condition exacerbated by insulin resistance.
Implications of Kidney and Nerve Damage
- Unplanned weight loss in diabetes can happen because of problems like kidney or nerve issues. For instance, frequent urination, a typical diabetes sign, makes the body lose glucose in urine.
- This extra work on the kidneys can cause the loss of important electrolytes and nutrients. Over time, this can lead to weight loss and more health problems.
- People with diabetes should pay attention to sudden weight loss, as it could indicate serious health problems.
- This loss could be from losing fat and muscle or from not absorbing nutrients properly because of more frequent urination.
- It’s important to find and treat the reasons behind this weight loss to keep overall health in check.
Wrapping Up
Unintentional weight loss in diabetes is caused by impaired glucose utilization, insulin deficiency, muscle loss, nutrient absorption, and complications like kidney and nerve damage. Recognizing and managing unexpected weight loss is crucial for overall health.
Consult healthcare professionals and take proactive steps for a healthier life.
