Diabetes Mellitus

Ten years ago, my aunty passed away. She was death caused by “kencing manis”. So what is Kencing Manis? How can it make mortality?

Kencing manis is Indonesian name of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism that leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia). That’s caused the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or produces insulin with normal quantity but low quality, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Blood glucose levels are controlled by a complex interaction of multiple chemicals and hormones in the body, including the hormone insulin made in the beta cells of the Pancreas. Diabetes mellitus refers to the group of diseases that lead to high blood glucose levels due to defects in either insulin secretion or insulin action.

There are two major types of diabetes, called type 1 and type 2.

Type 1:

- Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM).

- Juvenile onset diabetes mellitus (JODM)

- Characterized by a lack of insulin production.

- The pancreas undergoes an autoimmune attack by the body itself, and is rendered incapable of making insulin.

- Abnormal antibodies have been found in the majority of patients with type 1 diabetes. Antibodies are proteins in the blood that are part of the body’s immune system.

- Must rely on insulin medication for survival.

Type 2:

- Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)

- Adult onset diabetes mellitus (AODM).

- Pancreas still produces insulin, but do so relatively inadequately for their body's needs.

- Pancreas produces larger than normal quantities of insulin but low quality.

- Lack of sensitivity to insulin by the cells of the body (particularly fat and muscle cells).

Gestational Diabetes: - occur temporarily during pregnancy

What are diabetes symptoms? Nice question that should we know the answer. The answers are:

1. Thirst which increases fluid intake. It makes nocturnal uri (5 or more mictie in the night).

2. Blurred vision : caused by increasing blood glucose level in orbital vessel
3. Lethargy
4. Unexplained weight loss
5. Unhealing wound

What are complications?

a. Blindness: Blurred vision in early

b. Kidney failure

c. Leading to stroke

d. Septicaemia (can make patients died)

Diagnosis

a. Oral Glucose tolerance test

b. Impaired glucose tolerance

Therapy

1. Insulin injection for type 1
2. Oral drug for type 2
3. Life style
4. Corticosteroid and antibiotic for septicaemia complication

So what we can do to prevent diabetes? You just change your life style!