Men's Health: Overview of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus refers to a specific group of diseases that impact the body's ability to use glucose. A key energy source for muscle and tissue cells, glucose is vital to our health. If you have diabetes, it means you have too much glucose in your bloodstream; however, the cause may be different based on which type of the disease you have.
Type 1 Diabetes
Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes remains unknown, medical experts do know the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This inevitably leaves the body with less or no insulin, allowing blood sugar to build up in the bloodstream. While the exact cause of type 1 diabetes remains unclear, researchers believe a combination or environmental factors and genetic susceptibility may be at play.
Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
In each of these cases, the body's cells become resistant to the action of insulin and the pancreas is unable to generate enough insulin to overcome this resistance. Thus, instead of moving into your body's cells to provide energy, sugar remains in your bloodstream. Again, researchers aren't exactly sure why this occurs, but they have identified specific risk factors, including obesity, lack of exercise and poor eating habits.
Gestational Diabetes
During a woman's pregnancy, the placenta generates hormones to sustain the fetus. While critical to the pregnancy's success, these hormones can make the woman's cells more resistant to insulin. To overcome this resistance, the pancreas usually produces more insulin; however, in certain instances, it simply cannot keep up. When this occurs, too much glucose builds up in the blood, leading to gestational diabetes.
Complications and Treatment
Unmanaged diabetes can lead to a number of serious health complications, including organ failure, cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, eye damage and more. To reduce the risk of problems, diabetics must make significant lifestyle changes, including:
- Frequent testing of blood sugar levels
- Careful meal planning
- Daily exercise
- Taking medications and insulin as needed
Although they do have to abide by strict guidelines, most diabetics can live long, active lives. If you suspect you may be suffering from diabetes, visit your primary care physician for a thorough physical examination.
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