Diabetes Mellitus

The food we eat is broken down by the pancreas into simple sugar, glucose, which is used as energy for the body. Diabetes mellitus otherwise commonly known as diabetes is a condition which affects the body’s ability to use the energy sources in food. This condition develops when the pancreas produces too little, or no insulin or the insulin is produced but does not work as it should. This inability to break down sugar causes too much sugar to be present in the bloodstream, called high blood sugar levels.

What are the types of diabetes?

• Prediabetes occurs when the blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be deemed diabetes. While people with prediabetes are at high risk of developing diabetes, however through exercise and a healthy diet, it can be prevented.
• Diabetes type 1 is the most common and occurs because the pancreas’ insulin-producing cells are damaged, and not enough or no insulin is produced. This type requires insulin injections to control blood sugar levels.
• Diabetes type 2 occurs when the pancreas either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin is not working adequately. The result is high blood sugar levels which can be treated with a healthy diet and exercise. In some cases, oral glucose-lowering medications or insulin injections can be taken to treat this type.
• Gestational diabetes is usually the result of pregnancy but may also be due to illness, surgery and some kinds of medication. During pregnancy, developing babies require more glucose; however, the hormonal changes during pregnancy result in the pancreas producing too little insulin causing high blood sugar levels. This type of diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy; however, the risk of these women developing type 2 diabetes later in life, is higher.