DIABETES MELLITUS - SCI & TECH

News: Early diagnosis, treatment of diabetes in pregnant women benefit infants, finds study

 

What's in the news?

       Early diagnosis and treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus results in additional protection for babies and mothers from pregnancy complications, as per the results of a multi-centric, randomized controlled trial published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine.

 

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus:

       Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a condition in which a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively.

       Glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells.

       Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by other hormones produced during pregnancy that can make insulin less effective, a condition referred to as insulin resistance.

       Gestational diabetic symptoms disappear following delivery.

 

Diabetes:

       Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels properly.

       Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the main source of energy for the body’s cells.

       Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps the body use and store glucose from food.

       In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces effectively, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

       Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems, such as damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

 

Types of Diabetes:

There are two main types of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2.

 

Type 1 diabetes:

       It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in a lack of insulin.

       This type of diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age.

       It requires insulin injections or pump therapy for survival.

 

Type 2 diabetes:

       It is a metabolic disorder in which the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.

       This type of diabetes is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet.

       It is typically diagnosed in adults, but it is becoming increasingly common in children and adolescents as well.

       Treatment for Type 2 diabetes may include lifestyle changes, oral medications, or insulin therapy.