DIABETES MELLITUS

DIABETES MELLITUS- Types, Symptoms, Management
It is a disorder that involves the hormone producing part of the pancreas, leading to a partial or complete deficiency of insulin.

Types

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus

It is much less common in India (<5% of the total number of diabetic patients) and is associated with a near total lack of insulin. It is usually common among those who below the age of 30 years.

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

It usually comes on after the age of 30 years and is associated with urbanization, modern life style and obesity where the body’s own insulin doesn’t function properly.

Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

Management of diabetes mellitus
This involves a crucial triad of DED (Diet, Exercises and Drugs).

Diet involves high protein, low fat and low carbohydrate foods such as plant based proteins, fish, chicken, milk products and soy products.

People with diabetes mellitus are encouraged to do exercises daily for better blood sugar control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended that an aerobic exercises can be planned for 30 minutes daily and the intensity and duration of exercise can be planned individually under physician’s guidance.

The recommended drugs are Biguanides, Sulphonylureas, Metaglinides, Alphaglycosidase Inhibitors, Thiazolidinediones (avoid in liver diseases) and Insulin therapy. The diabetic patients who are on drugs should be cautious about the side effects such as hypoglycemia and weight gain. They should always carry some sweet foods to counter hypoglycemic attack.