Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a state of high blood sugar due to inadequate insulin production or insulin action with or without insulin resistance.

Symptoms

• Usually None (picked up on health screening)
• Increased thirst (Polydipsia)
• Increased frequency and volume of urine (Polyuria)
• Increased appetite and hunger (Polyphagia)
• Unexplained weight loss in severe cases
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infection (usually skin, genital or urinary)
• Fatigue

Types of Diabetes Mellitus

• Type 2 diabetes (90-95%)
• Type 1 diabetes (5-10%)
• Gestational diabetes or diabetes in pregnancy
• Specific types – steroids induced hyperglycemia, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer etc.

Complications/Long term problems of Diabetes Mellitus

• Eye – cataract and retinopathy, and in severe cases – blindness
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• Kidney – proteinuria and nephropathy, and in severe cases – kidney failure
• Feet – numbness, ulcers and infections, and in severe cases – requiring amputation
• Ischemic heart disease, heart failure and cardiac-related morbidity and mortality
• Increase in stroke risk
• Increase in cancer risk
• Increase in dementia risk

Management of diabetes mellitus encompass

• Understanding the type of diabetes mellitus
• Individualizing therapy to specific needs
• Personalized dietary and lifestyle advice
• Judicious use of medications and drugs to treat diabetes and prevent complications