Diabetes, Obesity and Its Complications

Endocrinology is a branch of physiology and medicine concerned with endocrine glands and hormones. The doctors who are specialist in dealing with endocrine gland disorders and functions are called as Endocrinologists. Diabetes is a chronic disease which occurs when the beta cells of pancreas fail to produce insulin, or when the body cannot make proper use of the insulin it produces.

Diabetic patients need to maintain their body weight proper diet and exercise. Losing about 5-7% of the body weight may help better control type-2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery and other innovative treatment options and surgeries are available in the market for obese people to lose body weight for proper management of Diabetes.  

Diabetic nephropathy is a renal complication associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is also known diabetic kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy affects the ability of your kidneys to filter and remove waste products form blood due to damage to glomeruli of kidneys. The best way to avoid or delay diabetic nephropathy is healthy lifestyle and proper treatment of diabetes and Hypertension.

Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur in diabetic patients due to high sugar levels in the body.  It most often damages nerves in legs and feet. Symptoms include numbness, tingling or burning sensation, sharp pains and cramps, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes etc.

Overtime diabetes causes certain eye complications and diseases like diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, visual impairment, poor vision, Glaucoma, Macular edema etc.,

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that affects your eyes. Diabetic Retinopathy caused by damaging retina of your eye (Sensitive tissue of eye). At earlier stage, diabetic retinopathy may cause only mild vision problems but eventually, it can cause blindness. Diabetes Retinopathy condition can develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes Mellitus. If you have diabetes from longer time and less controlled your blood sugar levels then there are more chances to develop this eye complication.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is associated with complications to both mother and fetus. Gestational diabetes occurs due to insufficient production of insulin in the body needed for pregnancy. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood to high levels leading to hyperglycemia. Gestational diabetes occur late pregnancy, after the baby's body has been designed and hence does not cause birth defects.

Diabetics are more prone to developing oral complications than healthy individuals. The dental and gum diseases associated with diabetes including gingivitis, periodontitis, bacterial and fungal infections, dry mouth, loose teeth, tooth decay, bad breath etc. Prolonged levels of blood glucose can lead to developing or worsening of dental infections. Maintaining proper blood glucose level and appropriate oral hygiene can help lessen such complications.

People suffering from diabetes may develop cardiovascular diseases if their condition is not managed well for a long period of time. High levels of glucose in blood (Hyperglycemia), which characterizes diabetes, in combination with free fatty acids (hyperlipidemia) within the blood can alter the character of blood vessels, and this can lead to heart disease. Vascular disorders include coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and heart stroke.

Skin Complications in diabetes include Bacterial and fungal infections, Acanthosis nigricans, Diabetic dermopathy, Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, Diabetic blisters, Eruptive xanthomatosis, Digital sclerosis, Disseminated granuloma annulare. Proper hygiene and care in needed to prevent infections and other complications.

Diabetic patients are prone to having foot problems, because of two complications of diabetes: first one nerve damage (neuropathy) and second one poor circulation. Neuropathy leads to cause loss of feeling in your feet, taking away your ability to feel discomfort and pain, so you are unable to detect an injury or irritation in your foot. Poor blood circulation in your feet reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection.

Diabetes-Related Foot & Leg Problems

• Infections and ulcers (sores) that do not heal
• Corns and calluses
• Dry, cracked skin
• Nail disorders
• Hammertoes and bunions
• Charcot foot
• Poor blood flow

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHNS) is a complication of diabetes mellitus in which uncontrolled blood sugar results in high osmolarity without significant ketoacidosis. Symptoms of HHNS include dehydration, Vision problems, leg cramps and altered levels of consciousness, seizures, rhabdomylosis, Low B.P and weakness.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) refers to condition in which acids buildup in the blood of patient due to prolonged hyperglycemia due to type 1 or type 2 Diabetes. DKA can be life threatening. Symptoms include dry mouth, feeling thirsty, urinating more often, fruity smell in breath due to excessive levels of Ketones in blood.

A combination of physical activities and diet promotion through support programs and counseling decrease weight, improve cholesterol levels, improve systolic blood pressure and decrease risk of diabetes disease. Increasing physical activities may be helpful in decreasing type-2 diabetes, particularly if undertaken soon after a carbohydrate rich meal that increases blood sugar levels.

Also referred to as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), this procedure of treatment, which is not a part of standard medical care, have been found to be beneficial for many individuals with diabetes. Such treatments include Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Ayurvedic Medicine, Aromatherapy, relaxation therapy, etc. Some of these therapies aim at treating the body and the mind and are also helpful for relaxing and relieving stress. Additionally, such therapies help in mitigating nerve pain in individuals who have diabetic neuropathy.