Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition marked by high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia), which usually arises from defective insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.
Classification of Diabetes Mellitus
There are two major types of diabetes; type 1 and 2.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by insufficient production of insulin from the pancreas. It is mostly associated with children and younger adults.
Type 2 diabetes which results mainly from inadequate body cell(s) response to insulin is closely linked with several environmental and genetic factors such as being overweight or obese. It is important to note that not everyone with type 2 diabetes is obese.
Among the other less common variants of diabetes that exist, it is important to take a closer look at Gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes refers to an elevated blood glucose level with onset or first recognition in pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Developing type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
- Being overweight or obese (a body mass index (BMI) of 25 and above)
- Physical inactivity
- Family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Deranged lipid profile (high level of triglycerides, or a low level of HDL (“good”) cholesterol)
- A history of gestational diabetes or a prior delivery of a baby weighing 4kg or more.
Symptoms
- Excessive urination
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive eating/hunger
- Fatigue
- Weight loss or gain
- Blurred vision
- Unusually prolonged wound healing
- Decreased sex drive and/or erectile dysfunction in men.
Management
- Weight reduction
- Eating healthy balanced diets
- Regular exercises
- Adequate hydration
- Foot care
- Annual eye checks
- Routine and comprehensive annual health checks
- Medications
Prevention
- Reduce your consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates
- Reduce your portion sizes
- Eat balanced meals rich in fibre
- Engage in regular physical activity/exercises and avoid sedentary lifestyle practices
- In place of refined beverages, drink adequate amounts of water daily
- Avoid or quit smoking