The level of glucose in human blood ranges between 80-120mg/dl. The safer limit of glucose level has been estimated as 70-130 mg/dl. Diabetes or diabetes mellitus, is the condition in which the level of glucose in blood remains much high above the limit and the level varies with patient and diet. Diabetes is caused due to the defect in the mechanism of body to control glucose level: 1) as storage in the form of glycogen 2) the ability to transport glucose and use it. It is one of the common disease in many developed and under developed countries. It has been estimated that around 16.5 million Americans are diabetic patients and has already been diagnosed. Out of which, 5.5 million patients are unaware of the condition. But the peoples with diabetes in America are much more than this, coming around 23.5 million. It covers 7.8% of the whole population in United States. It has also been found out that prevalence of diabetes among British is also increasing at high rate within last fifty years. The major reasons for diabetes are lack of exercise, overweight, uncontrolled diet and familial factors.
Risk Factors Associated with Diabetes
Patient with diabetes mellitus are more prone to coronary and renal problems (end stage renal disease). It is one of the major causes of adult blindness. Nerve damages are also associated with diabetes in some cases. If remain untreated, diabetes might result in removal of fingers and limb
Controlling diabetes
It is the responsibility of patient to control diabetes with proper medication, controlled diet and regular exercise under a good trainer. The exercise should be planned in such a way that the fuel used for working should be glucose and not fat. Type one diabetes can be treated by transplanting the pancreas or just the islet cells. The research relating to the cure of diabetes is still in its infancy. The best method is to control the glucose levels of the body. There are also treatments like insulin therapy to control diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus can be divided in three types, namely
- Type 1: This is due to the defect in insulin production in the body. This diabetes type was earlier called as the Juvenile diabetes and is mainly caused due to viral infections or other environmental factors.
- Type 2: The underlining defect of this type of diabetes has not yet been identified clearly. It is thought to be of insulin resistance or due to the defect in mechanism to transport glucose to cells for usage.
- Gestational diabetes: It is the condition with high blood glucose level soon after delivery and is found among 5-10 % of women.
Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
Diabetes insipidus is due to hypo-secretion of anti diuretic hormone (ADH) in the body. This is not hyperglycaemia and in no way related to glucose levels of the body. |
