Diabetes

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Malnutrition — It is believed that children who have malnutrition during the critical stages of development in the mother’s womb or during the first year of life are more likely to develop Type  II diabetes later in life. Viral Infections/Injuries ­­– Some viral infections or injuries that damage the pancreas may destroy the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin and therefore cause diabetes due to insufficient insulin. Medicines — Prolonged intake of medicines such as steroids, anti-depressant drugs or some medicines for controlling high blood pressure can cause Type  II diabetes. Ethnic Predisposition — Indians and Asians are genetically pre-disposed to diabetes than Europeans or Americans.

DIABETES SYMPTOMS

4.       Diabetes does not just happen overnight. It takes many years for it to set in as a derangement of metabolism. The following symptoms individually or in combination may indicate the presence of this disease, often called the silent killer :- Excessive and Increased Frequency of Urination —  Kidneys filter about 1,500 liters of blood everyday. They normally excrete some water and waste products as urine and absorb most of the filtered blood including glucose. If the blood has more glucose than what the kidneys can re-absorb, it passes out with urine. As the excess glucose passes out of the body, it takes a lot of water with it in order to flow easily. Increased water in the urine also increases the frequency of passing urine. Loss of Weight — In the absence of adequate insulin, the cells can not derive energy from the blood glucose. For maintaining the body metabolism and temperature, and for physical activity, energy is derived from the body fat and muscles. As a result you lose weight, even if you eat enough to satisfy your hunger. Excessive Hunger — When adequate insulin does not attach to the receptors on the cell wall, the cells in the body do not get any energy. They, therefore, send a message of hunger pangs to the brain. The brain responds to this message by giving you a feeling of excessive hunger and increased appetite. Weakness and Lethargy — Despite eating more due to excessive hunger, the glucose derived from the food cannot be used for energy as it passes out in the urine. Lack of energy in the cells results in general weakness, tiredness, body ache, laziness, drowsiness, irritability and reduction in stamina and may also induce lack of concentration and mental fatigue because the brain and the central nervous system are being deprived of their essential nutrients.