Diabetes

Plan

Introduction

Diabetes types

Diabetes causes

Symptoms and Complications

Diagnostic

Treatment and Prevention

Conclusion
Introduction

Diabetes is a condition characterized by insufficient production of insulin to meet the body's

needs or by an abnormal response of cells to the effects of insulin, or both. Insulin is

important because it moves glucose, a simple blood sugar, into the cells of the body. Insulin

also has a number of other metabolic effects.

Ingested food provides the body with glucose that the cells use as a source of energy. If

insulin is not available or if it does not work normally and allowing the glucose in the blood

to pass into the cells, the glucose remains in the blood. High blood glucose is toxic;

moreover, cells that do not get glucose are deprived of the fuel they need to function

properly.

Diabetes types

There are 2 main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. More than 90% of
people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. A 2015 report by the Canadian Diabetes
Association estimated that approximately 3 million Canadians have diabetes and that number
continues to rise. More than 1/3 of people with type 2 diabetes are unaware of their condition
and do not receive treatment adapted to their needs. This is because for many people, early
symptoms of this disorder are not visible until tests reveal its presence.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot make insulin. All people with type 1

diabetes should receive regular insulin injections. Most people with type 1 diabetes are
diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. Type 1 diabetes is more common in people whose

ancestors came from northern Europe.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin, or when the body

does not use insulin properly. It usually reveals itself in adulthood although it can sometimes

affect children. People with type 2 diabetes usually have a family history of the disorder, and

90% of them are overweight or obese. They may eventually need insulin injections.

Diabetes also manifests, but less frequently, in the form of gestational diabetes, which only

lasts for the duration of a pregnancy. Depending on the risk factors to which they are

exposed, between 3 and 13% of Canadian women will have gestational diabetes which could

prove harmful to the baby if not controlled. The problem usually goes away after giving

birth, but women who have had gestational diabetes are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes in

the long term.

Diabetes causes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. A combination of genetic predisposition and

other (as yet unidentified) environmental factors is thought to cause the immune system to

attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and destroy them. There is no way to protect

against the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance and insufficient insulin production. Because

the body cannot use insulin as well as it should or because the pancreas does not produce

enough of it, glucose cannot be transported into cells from the blood. Over time, the excess
glucose in the blood leads to a gradual deterioration of the pancreas whose production of

insulin decreases and further complicates the management of blood glucose levels.

Prediabetes is a term used to describe a condition in which glucose levels are higher than

normal but not high enough to be classified as symptomatic of diabetes. Many people with

prediabetes will later develop diabetes.

Obesity is one of the main causes of insulin resistance; in fact, about 90% of people with type
2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Certain genetic factors, as well as environmental factors,
are probably involved in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. A family history of diabetes has
been found to increase the risk of developing this condition.

Other risk factors contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, including:

 be 40 years of age or older;
 descent from families originating from Aboriginal peoples or of Hispanic, South
Asian, Asian or African origin;
 vascular disease (for example, damage to blood vessels in the eyes, nerves, kidneys,
heart, brain, or arms and legs);
 high blood pressure;
 high cholesterol;
 a history of gestational diabetes;
 a history of prediabetes or abnormal fasting blood sugar;
 women who have given birth to a large baby;
 certain medical conditions (for example HIV infection);
 mental disorders (for example bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia); acanthosis
nigricans (a condition characterized by the appearance of dark patches on the skin);
 polycystic ovary syndrome;
  obstructive sleep apnea; use of certain medicines (for example corticosteroids, such as
prednisone, certain antipsychotic medicines, certain antiviral medicines for HIV).

Symptoms and Complications

People with type 1 diabetes who do not receive treatment urinate frequently and feel the need
to drink constantly. They usually feel very tired and lose a lot of weight, despite normal or
excessive food intake.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes usually appear gradually. People with type 2 diabetes whose
blood sugar is not controlled often have a mild but persistent thirst. They urinate frequently,
often feel mild fatigue and complain of blurred vision. Many women with this condition have
repeated vaginal yeast infections. Some people may experience tingling in their hands or feet
or find that their sores and wounds heal slowly.

Diagnostic

The diagnosis of diabetes can be made from simple blood tests. Your doctor can choose one
of these 4 types of examination to determine if you have diabetes.
Fasting blood sugar levels: The doctor may diagnose you with diabetes if your blood sugar
after not eating anything for at least 8 hours (this is called “fasting”) is 7.0 mmol/L or higher.
If your fasting blood glucose level is between 6.1 mmol/L and 6.9 mmol/L, it could signal the
presence of a condition called abnormal fasting glucose, or prediabetes, which could develop
into diabetes one day.
A1C: The A1C or glycated hemoglobin fraction reflects your average blood glucose levels
over the past 2-3 months. If this is 6.5% or more, your doctor can determine the presence of
diabetes. using a blood test called (A1C fraction) which. If this rate is between 6.0% and
6.4%, you may have prediabetes. Glycated hemoglobin is not used to diagnose diabetes in
children, adolescents, pregnant women, or people suspected of having type 1 diabetes.
Random blood glucose level test: If your blood glucose level is equal to or greater than 11.1
mmol/L, taken at any time of the day, regardless of the time of your last meal, your doctor
can diagnose diabetes.
Oral Induced Hyperglycemia (OPH) test: This test requires fasting for at least 8 hours before
ingesting 75g of carbohydrate (carbohydrates) in the form of a drink. Blood sugar is
measured during fasting and then every 2 hours after ingestion of the solution. Your doctor
can diagnose diabetes if your blood sugar level is above 11.1 mmol/L. If the blood sugar
level is between 7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L, your doctor could diagnose prediabetes. This
is the preferred method for diagnosing gestational diabetes.
If you have certain symptoms (for example. increased thirst, increased urine output, unusual
weight loss), your doctor may only use one test to diagnose diabetes/prediabetes. If you have
no symptoms, a single test showing high glucose levels does not necessarily mean that you
have diabetes/prediabetes. Your doctor will have you repeat a blood test on another day
(usually 1 week later) to confirm their diagnosis.

Treatment and Prevention

Currently, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. However, studies have shown that type 2
diabetes can be prevented by making lifestyle changes, including loss of weight through a
healthy diet and regular exercise.

Additionally, research has shown that certain oral diabetes medications may play a role in
preventing type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can last a lifetime. The goal of diabetes treatment is to
keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. This helps prevent the symptoms of
diabetes and the long-term complications of this condition. If you have been diagnosed with
diabetes, your doctor – together with other healthcare professionals on the diabetes care team
– will help you find your blood sugar targets.
The treatment of diabetes, more than that of most other conditions, requires considerable
effort on the part of the person who must follow it. Dealing with diabetes is a lifelong
challenge; therefore, people who have it should not hesitate to talk to their doctor or
pharmacist if they feel overwhelmed by the situation.
Part of the treatment plan is learning what diabetes is, how to manage it, and how to prevent
complications. Your doctor, diabetes educator, or other healthcare professional will help you
learn what you need to know to manage your diabetes as effectively as possible. Note that it
will take time to acquire knowledge about diabetes and its treatment. Involving family
members or other important people in your life can also help you manage your diabetes.
Although there are advertisements for herbal products that are claimed to help balance blood
sugar levels, there are not enough reliable studies showing that these treatments are safe and
effective.
People with type 1 diabetes need insulin* every day to survive. The only way to cure this
condition is through a pancreas transplant or pancreatic islet cell transplant. However, these
operations are only recommended for a limited number of cases.
As with many conditions, treatment for type 2 diabetes begins with lifestyle changes,
specifically in diet and physical activity. If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor and
diabetes educator about an appropriate diet. They might even refer you to a dietitian. Also,
before embarking on an exercise program more vigorous than walking, it is important to
speak with your doctor to establish the appropriate types of exercise and level of effort.
If lifestyle changes do not help bring blood sugar levels down to desired levels, initiation of
drug therapy may be necessary. Medications used for type 2 diabetes include blood sugar
lowering tablets or injections, insulin injections or a combination of these 2 treatment
methods.
Medicines are very effective in treating diabetes and reducing its symptoms and long-term
consequences. However, taking certain diabetes medications sometimes causes
hypoglycaemia (too low blood sugar).
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
 anxiety;
 confusion;
 concentration problems;
 dizziness;
 drowsiness;
 tiredness;
 headaches;
 nausea;
 fast, very strong heartbeats or heart palpitations;
 the need to eat;
 irritability;
 sweating;
 strong tremors or tremors;
 visual field abnormalities.
Extremely low blood sugar can cause seizures or loss of consciousness. A healthcare
professional can teach you to recognize the warning signs of low blood sugar. People with
diabetes should always carry sweets, sugar or glucose tablets with them to treat
hypoglycaemia.
Hypoglycemia is a side effect of many types 1 and type 2 diabetes medications, but it is
never a reason to avoid treatment. The best way to prevent low blood sugar is to eat regular
meals and watch your blood sugar levels.
Frequent measurement of blood sugar levels is the best way to tell if the level is within the
desired range. This control is easily achievable at home using a blood glucose meter (also
called a glucometer).

Conclusion

It is essential for all people with diabetes to measure their blood sugar levels themselves.
However, the number of blood sugar checks depends on your type of diabetes and diabetes
treatment. Some people will need to measure their blood sugar several times throughout the
day and others will not need to do so frequently.
It is important to keep a record of the results obtained at different times of the day, both on an
empty stomach (before lunch) and 2 hours after the meal. This allows the doctor to get an
overview of how blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day and recommend treatment
accordingly. Most blood glucose meters have a “memory” that stores the results of multiple
blood glucose readings along with the time and date they were taken. Some devices even
allow you to create graphs and tables of the results and send them to your phone.