Diabetes, Symptoms and Signs

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterised by elevated blood sugar levels due to a relative or absolute deficiency of the regulating hormone insulin. Insulin is secreted by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. An absolute lack or deficiency in insulin means the body is not producing as much insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. In contrast when there is a relative deficienc of insulin the body produces the hormone in sufficient quantities but there is insulin resistance or lack of receptor sensitivity to the insulin which is being secreted. A common cause of this is obesity.

Common manifestations of diabetes are excessive thirst which is often accompanied by excessive or additional intake of fluids and increased micturition(ployuria) which often leads to dehaydration. Weight loss, weakness, tingling and numbness in the limbs, itching of the skin or itching in the vulval area in women, poor vision and poor healing of cuts and scratches are the more common manifestations. The diagnosis is confirmed by testing blood glucose levels. It is of utmost importance to mention here that all the symptoms and signs may not be present in an individual. In a number of cases, many individuals are diagnosed when asymptomatic or with just one or two of the common symptoms.

Diabetes can be described as a systemic vascular disease, because the excess glucose forming in the body results in a malprotein formation and this is attached to and causes chronic inflamation of the intima or inner layer of blood vessels. This results in chronic inflammation of the very small to medium size blood vessels. This results in advanced cases to a form of systemic vasculitis and reduced circulation.

The main organs which are usually affected are the brain, blood vessels, heart and kidneys. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness world wide due to increased likelihood of catarcats and glaucoma. Due to cerebaral insufficiency or reduced circulation in the head there is a three to four fold increase in the occurence of ischemic strokes(due to clot formations).

There is also an increased incidence of other cardio-vascular diseases ranging from hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, heart failures and heart attacks(myocardial infarctions), and peripheral vascular disease which is the reducded blood circulation to the limbs and digits which in severe cases cause gangrene, necessitating amputations. This becomes more likely in the presence of infection when poor circulation often adversely affects the body's immune response and adversely retard the healing process.

Diabetics because of elevated blood glucose levels, often impaired circulation and reduced immune response are easily prone to infections. This further increase blood glucose levels causing a vicious cycle and especially in the cases of pneumonia often results in mortality.

The kidneys are also prone to the effects of diabetes causing from nehritis(inflammation) to impairment and especially those whose conditions have been poorly controlled, it becomes a leading cause of renal or kidney failure.

Given the overall detrimental effects that diabetes, which is mainly a lifestyle disease can have it is of utmost important to have measures aimed at prevention, early detection and treatment. These include having a knowledge of one's family history. A first degree relative or realtives having disease indicates increased likelihood. Women having children weighing more than three and a half kilogram at birth, obesity, excess consumption of processed foods and sweets and a sedentary life style resulting in lack of exercises. Symptoms of the disease were outlined earlier.

It is important to have regular checks. For those at increased risks and especially if more than 40 years old, routine blood glucose levels should be checked every six months for early detection. Those adults under 40 and who may not be at increased risk should have an annual test done. Independent of age, once there are symptoms and signs which suggest diabetes the relevant test should be done and if diagnosis is confirmed the appropriate treatment started.

Treatment includes special dietary measures, exercises and for those who are overweight, weight reduction. These measures are sometimes sufficient to control and treat the disease but in the majority of cases added to these measures are tablets called oral hypoglycaemic agents and or the injection of the hormone insulin.

The good news is with proper compliance the diabetic patient will live a normal life with all the regular activities with many extending their life span into the ninties and beyond.