DIABETES REVERSAL

Diabetes is a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide, characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. Understanding its types, symptoms, causes, and diagnosis is crucial for effective management and prevention of complications.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when blood sugar (glucose) levels are consistently high due to inadequate insulin production or ineffective insulin utilization. It encompasses various forms, including Type 1, Type 2, prediabetes, gestational diabetes, and rare types like MODY and neonatal diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells, usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
Type 2 Diabetes: The most common type, characterized by insulin resistance or inadequate insulin production, primarily affecting adults but increasingly diagnosed in children.
Prediabetes : A precursor to Type 2 diabetes, with elevated blood glucose levels not meeting diagnostic criteria.
Gestational Diabetes: Develops during pregnancy, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Other Rare Types: Including Type 3c, LADA, MODY, neonatal, and brittle diabetes, each with distinct causes and characteristics.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Increased thirst and dry mouth (polydipsia)
Frequent urination
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss
Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
Slow-healing sores or cuts
Frequent infections, such as yeast infections

Causes of Diabetes

The underlying cause of diabetes varies by type:

Type 1: Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells
Type 2: Insulin resistance and inadequate insulin production, often linked to lifestyle factors and genetics
Gestational: Hormonal changes during pregnancy affecting insulin action

Other Types: Pancreatic damage, genetic mutations, and rare conditions contribute to specific forms of diabetes.

Diagnosis of Diabetes

Healthcare providers diagnose diabetes through blood tests, including

Fasting Blood Glucose Test: Measures blood sugar after fasting for at least eight hours.
Random Blood Glucose Test: Assesses blood sugar levels at any time, regardless of fasting.
A1c Test: Reflects average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months, providing a comprehensive assessment.

RISK FACTORS

Anyone who has diabetes can develop neuropathy. But these risk factors make nerve damage more likely:

Poor blood sugar control. Uncontrolled blood sugar increases the risk of every diabetes complication, including nerve damage.
Diabetes history. The risk of diabetic neuropathy increases the longer a person has diabetes, especially if blood sugar isn’t well controlled.
Kidney disease. Diabetes can damage the kidneys. Kidney damage sends toxins into the blood, which can lead to nerve damage.
Being overweight. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more may increase the risk of diabetic neuropathy.
Smoking. Smoking narrows and hardens the arteries, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet. This makes it more difficult for wounds to heal and damages the peripheral nerves.

COMPLICATIONS

Diabetic neuropathy can cause a number of serious complications, including:

Hypoglycemia unawareness. Blood sugar levels below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) — 3.9 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) — usually cause shakiness, sweating and a fast heartbeat. But people who have autonomic neuropathy may not experience these warning signs.
Loss of a toe, foot or leg. Nerve damage can cause a loss of feeling in the feet, so even minor cuts can turn into sores or ulcers without being noticed. In severe cases, an infection can spread to the bone or lead to tissue death. Removal (amputation) of a toe, foot or even part of the leg may be necessary.
Urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence. If the nerves that control the bladder are damaged, the bladder may not empty completely when urinating. Bacteria can build up in the bladder and kidneys, causing urinary tract infections. Nerve damage can also affect the ability to feel the need to urinate or to control the muscles that release urine, leading to leakage (incontinence).
Sharp drops in blood pressure. Damage to the nerves that control blood flow can affect the body’s ability to adjust blood pressure. This can cause a sharp drop in pressure when standing after sitting or lying down, which may lead to lightheadedness and fainting.
Sexual dysfunction. Autonomic neuropathy often damages the nerves that affect the sex organs. Men may experience erectile dysfunction. Women may have difficulty with lubrication and arousal.
Increased or decreased sweating. Nerve damage can disrupt how the sweat glands work and make it difficult for the body to control its temperature properly.