All Diabetics are not Alike!

All diabetics are not alike, so never take medicines for diabetes on the advice of fellow patients. The term diabetes means inordinate and persistent excretion of excessive volume of urine. Diabetes is a disease of carbohydrate metabolism with a variety of causes. Pancreas is directly associated with carbohydrate metabolism and biobalance of blood sugar (glucose) level. All carbohydrates (starches, polysaccharides, disaccharides and monosaccharides) are converted into glucose in our stomach and small intestine, absorbed in blood and taken to liver for storage in liver cells as glycogen for future use. Glycogen is also stored into muscle cells and utilized for muscle function. Insulin produced by the beta-cells in the pancreas helps in the penetration of glucose into liver and muscle cells and further storage as glycogen. Glucagon produced by alpha-cells of the pancreas regulates the conversion of glycogen in glucose through glycogenolysis, when ever glucose level in the blood falls below normal.

Defective metabolism of carbohydrates may lead to alimentary diabetes. The term diabetes insipidus pertains to a condition characterized by excessive intake of water with excessive urination but without any glycosuria (excretion of glucose in urine). Diabetes insipidus due to congenital failure of renal tubules to respond to anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) is termed as diabetes insipidus nephrogenic. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a condition characterized by an elevated level of sugar (glucose) in blood and urine. Diabetes mellitus may affect both younger (juvenile diabetes) and older people (maturity onset diabetes). Subclinical diabetes refers to a condition where glucose tolerance test is abnormal but clinical signs of diabetes like polyuria (excessive urination with increased frequency of micturition), hunger, thirst and weight loss are absent. Obesity may be associated with diabetes but all obese people could never be diabetics. Fat metabolism is also impaired in diabetes which may lead to hypercholesterolemia and hypertension (high blood pressure) in diabetics. There is a strict need of controlling hypertension and hypercholesterolemia with customized diet, regular exercise and sometimes with medicines. It is advisable never to copy your fellow patient's treatment. Diabetes need your round the clock commitment and if taken care it would reduce your risk of serious complications like renal disease.

Important Tip: Never copy your fellow patient's treatment.