Diabetes Mellitus

2022-08-30

What is diabetes mellitus?

The pancreas produces a hormone known as insulin that controls blood glucose level. When insulin production is insufficient or when insulin does not function properly, glucose cannot be converted into energy we need. This results in increased blood glucose level and the extra glucose will be excreted in urine, a condition known as diabetes mellitus (or diabetes in short).

Persistent high blood glucose levels will lead to:

Heart disease
Stroke
Kidney failure
Persistent infection of wounds (especially at feet) that may result in amputation
Blindness
Impotence

Diabetes Mellitus is generally classified into 4 categories with different causes:

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: It was called “Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus”. It is related to factors of genetic and immune system which result in destruction of insulin producing cells, leaving the cells completely incapable to produce insulin for the need of body. Most affected people are children and juvenile, representing 3% of the patients.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: was called “Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus”which represents more than 90% of diabetes mellitus cases. It is mainly related to unhealthy diet, obesity and lack of exercise. The body cells are resistant to insulin and thus cannot uptake and use dextrose effectively and excess sugar in blood is resulted. This type of diabetes mellitus has higher genetic predisposition than Type 1.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: It is mainly due to the change in hormones produced during pregnancy and usually subsides after delivery. Studies in recent years show that women with gestational diabetes mellitus have higher risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus later on, thus such women should pay more attention to healthy diet to reduce such risk.

Other types of Diabetes Mellitus: There are other causes which are different from those of the above three types, including insufficient insulin secretion caused by certain genetic diseases, caused indirectly by other diseases (e.g. pancreatitis, i.e. inflammation in the pancreas), resulted from drugs or chemicals.

If you belong to one of the categories below, you are more likely to suffer from diabetes mellitus:

whose immediate family member suffers from diabetes mellitus;
who suffers from hypertension or hyperlipidemia (excessively high level of lipids in blood);
women who has history of gestational diabetes mellitus (a type of diabetes mellitus that occurs only during pregnancy) or gave birth to overweighted baby (weighting 4 kg or above);
who is obese (with BMI over 23);
who is in the middle age (aged 45 or above), etc.

Some of the patients of diabetes mellitus may have the following symptoms in the early stage:

frequent thirst
frequent urination
frequent hunger
weight loss
fatigue
blurred vision
poor wound healing
itching skin, women may feel itchy in private parts

Prevention

Have a balanced diet. Eat more food rich in fibre, such as vegetables, fruits, raw grains, wholemeal bread and brown rice.
Parents should encourage children to eat healthily and discourage them from eating too much food with high-sugar or high-fat content.
Do not over-eat because the surplus calories can lead to obesity.
Take part in regular and moderate physical activity.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease. In fact, many diabetic patients, especially those at the early stage of disease, do not have symptoms. Please seek medical advice if you are in doubt about your health.

Source of information: Centre for Health Promotion, Department of Health; Smart Patient, HA