Diabetes Mellitus: A Silent Killer!
With the advancement in every field, we are also getting closer to advancement in various diseases. This is because we are not giving ample attention to our health while running behind achieving our material goals. We never understand this unless we succumb to some illnesses characteristic of twenty first century! Diabetes is one of such illnesses that have gripped the human population all over.
The disease does not discriminate between developed world and developing world. It is one of the culprits that result in end organ damage over a period of time, if not treated in time. Most people believe that this is a common illness and do not pay heed to its symptoms unless it is too late. Many a times, diabetes is an accidental finding of raised sugar levels when the patient is investigated for some other reason.
The most common symptom of Diabetes Mellitus is that the patient has to urinate frequently, has a larger appetite, and feels thirsty more than the normal person and ends up consuming a lot more fluid than what an average person would. However, these symptoms may as well develop pretty rapidly in case of what is commonly known as ‘juvenile diabetes’.
In the more common type of diabetes, where the insulin sensitivity is considerably reduced, the symptoms may be very subtle and could be totally absent as well. Juvenile diabetes symptoms can prompt a person to go for a test for the blood sugar levels. But, it is generally advised that diabetes screening should be done over a period of time because the type two diabetes does not allow scope for you to suspect yourself as a patient of the disease.
Once diagnosed of diabetes mellitus, the patient has to have a thorough check of all the internal organs like heart, kidney, eyes and brain. Well, this is required because diabetes is a culprit that progressively deranges body functions one after the other. Also it leads to polyneuropathy, thus making patient insensitive to motor stimuli over a period of time. That’s why it is advised to people with diabetes that they should take ample care of their feet, as if once injured, these people may require more time for healing than normal population.
It would be great if we could do away with diabetes or prevent it. However, it unfortunately is a genetic disease. But research suggests that breast feeding babies and providing them with more of Vitamin D decreases the risk of them having diabetes later in their lives. No need to worry! You get your sugars under control and you may live years together with diabetes too! Having said that, you should note that diabetes makes you more prone to coronary artery diseases, strokes carotid artery stenosis and several other complicated diseases. So, to live better, healthier and longer, you should keep a check on yourselves and stick to the schedule and restrictions as prescribed by your medical practitioner. Keep this in mind and you could over-power the killer!!