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Diabetes is a condition where the kidneys produce a lot of urine and the body is unable to control the amount of glucose (a form of sugar) in the blood. When the body does not produce enough insulin or does not utilize it correctly, this condition develops.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) can be divided into two basic categories:
- Type 1 diabetes typically develops in adolescents
- Type 2 diabetes is more common in older, typically more mature individuals.
There are various forms of diabetes that can be explained, with genetic malformations and mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities being implicated as major contributors to the disease's development.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Diabetes, Type 1 And 2 Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Stroke, Hyperglycaemia, Insulin, Gastroparesis, Atherosclerosis, Autoimmune.
Diabetes
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Diabetes is a group of metabolic illnesses marked by hyperglycaemia caused by defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes' persistent hyperglycaemia is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction, and failure of numerous organs, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels.

Testing of sugar levels in a diabetic person
Diabetes is caused by insufficient insulin production or improper insulin use. It is caused by a number of distinct diseases and situations. These can range from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic b-cells, which results in insulin insufficiency, to abnormalities that cause insulin resistance.
- The official name for the disease is “Diabetes Mellitus”.
- Another condition with the same name, but a different cause, is Diabetes Insipidus.
- Both conditions are referred to as "diabetes" because they cause frequent urination and increased thirst.
Diabetes insipidus develops when the body is unable to react to or produce the hypothalamic hormone Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which assists the kidneys in regulating the water balance of the body.
Types Of Diabetes
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There are four main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes arises when, for unknown reasons, the immune system attacks and kills insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Up to 10% of individuals with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Although it can occur at any age, children and adolescents are commonly affected. According to the hypothesis, type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune reactions. The insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are eradicated by this process.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms:
Possible indications and symptoms of type 1 diabetes include the following:
- Increased Thirst
- Frequent Urination
- Onset of bed-wetting in children who have never experienced it before
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss without effort
- Mood swings or other behavioural changes
- Exhaustion and weakness
- Blurred eyesight
Type 2 Diabetes is caused by insulin resistance and an inadequate compensatory insulin secretory response. This type of diabetes is the most common. Before diabetes is identified in the latter group, hyperglycaemia sufficient to cause pathologic and functional problems in a range of target tissues may occur for an extended period of time without the presence of clinical symptoms of diabetes.
Although there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, it can be managed with weight loss, healthy food, and exercise. If diet and exercise are insufficient to control your blood sugar, you may need diabetic medications or insulin therapy.
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms:
Symptoms and indicators of type 2 diabetes sometimes arise gradually. People may have type 2 diabetes for years without being aware of it. When present, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
- Increased thirst and hunger
- Unwanted weight loss
- Fatigue
- Distorted vision
- Slowly heaving wounds
- many infections
- tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
Prediabetes refers to a higher-than-normal blood glucose level. Due to the low level, it is not currently considered type 2 diabetes. Without a change in lifestyle, however, prediabetic adults and children face a significant risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin during pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that acts as a key to allow glucose to enter cells for usage as fuel.
Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal fluctuations and the manner in which our systems convert food to energy.
Read More: Gestational Diabetes
Things to Remember
- Diabetes develops when the kidneys produce an excessive amount of urine and the body is unable to regulate blood glucose levels.
- Diabetes is typically divided into four subtypes, including Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile insulin dependence, is caused by insulin insufficiency and immune system reactions.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most widespread form of the disease, caused by insulin resistance and insulin insufficiency.
- The increased blood glucose level is known as prediabetes.
- Insufficient insulin production during pregnancy causes gestational diabetes.
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Sample Questions
Ques. What is diabetes? (3 marks)
Ans. Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders marked by hyperglycaemia resulting from impaired insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes is marked by insufficient insulin production or improper insulin use. When there is insufficient insulin or when cells cease to respond to insulin, blood sugar levels rise.
Ques. What are the causes of diabetes? (3 marks)
Ans. Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance is a significant cause of type 2 diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune illness that occurs when the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin.
- Gestational diabetes can occur if the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin to combat insulin resistance.
- Diabetes may be triggered by consuming excessive amounts of sugar on a daily basis.
Ques. What distinguishes type 1 diabetes from type 2 diabetes? (4 marks)
Ans. The difference is as follows:
| Type 1 Diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes |
|---|---|
| Type 1 diabetes is a genetic illness that often manifests in childhood. | Type 2 diabetes is predominantly a diet-related disorder that manifests with age. |
| The immune system will target and destroy the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas if someone has type 1 diabetes. | Type 2 diabetes is caused by the inability to produce enough insulin as a compensatory response to insulin resistance. |
| The concept proposes that autoimmunity is the root cause of type 1 diabetes. | The majority of diabetics have type 2 disease, which is curable by lifestyle changes. |
Ques. What problems might arise if a diabetic woman contracts an infection during pregnancy? (5 marks)
Ans. During pregnancy, hormones can alter the activity of insulin. It may not adequately control your blood sugar, which can lead to gestational diabetes.
Potential gestational diabetes complications:
- Abortion is a possibility.
- Preeclampsia
- Potential congenital defects
- The infant's blood sugar levels may be low.
- Potential for jaundice
- The infant could be very huge.
- Infant respiratory issue
Ques. What is diabetes insipidus? (2 marks)
Ans. Diabetes insipidus develops when the body cannot respond to or create its own antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is released by the hypothalamus. With this hormone's aid, the kidneys can better manage the body's water content.
Ques. What are the type 1 diabetes symptoms? (3 marks)
Ans. The following list may be among the symptoms of type 1 diabetes:
- Enhanced Thirst
- Frequent Urination
- Children's Initial Bed-wetting
- Increased Appetite
- Weight Loss
- Mood Swings
- Exhaustion And Weakness
- Blurred Vision
Ques. What complications can you experience if you have diabetes? (3 marks)
Ans. High blood glucose levels on a long-term basis may be damaging to the cells and organs of the body. Damage to your blood vessels and nerves, which nourish the body's tissues, is the primary cause.
Long-term diabetes causes most cardiovascular diseases. It comprises
- A Heart Attack
- A Stroke
- Atherogenesis
- Neuropathy
- Nephropathy
- Retinal illness producing blindness
Ques. What steps should be made to avoid diabetes if it is possible? (3 marks)
Ans. These necessary procedures should be taken for diabetes prevention:
- Management of body weight is a critical component of diabetes prevention.
- Adopting a healthy diet.
- Exercise often.
- Medicines must be used if diet and exercise are insufficient to treat the problem.
- Blood pressure must be approached with extreme caution.
Ques. What is prediabetes? (2 marks)
Ans. Pre-diabetes is high blood sugar. Due to its low level, it is not classified as type 2 diabetes at this time. Children and adults with prediabetes stand a substantial risk of developing type 2 diabetes if they do not alter their lifestyles.
Ques. What factors contribute to gestational diabetes? (3 marks)
Ans. Throughout pregnancy, the placenta plays a crucial role in the development and growth of the child. When we consume food, the pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone that facilitates the passage of glucose from the blood to the cell, which uses it as a source of energy. Several of these hormones impede the action of the mother's insulin, resulting in insulin resistance. Your blood sugar levels rise and you get gestational diabetes if your body is unable to produce sufficient insulin or efficiently utilize it.
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