| Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease in which the pancreas, a gland in the body, produces too little or ineffective insulin, a hormone.
When the food you eat is digested, most of it is broken down to glucose, which is absorbed into the blood stream.
In a healthy person, insulin helps glucose to enter the cells, to be burned for energy. In a diabetic person, the glucose cannot enter, and accumulates to high levels in the blood, which indicates untreated or uncontrolled diabetes.
Up to 11% of adult Singaporeans have diabetes, and it has been increasing. Lifestyle factors play a significant part in increasing the overall risk of developing DM:
- Overweight
- Family history
- Age
- Ethnic group
- Smoking
Gestational diabetes is a special type of DM that develops during pregnancy, but can mean a high risk of recurrence or long-term diabetes later in life.
There are 2 types of Diabetes
Type 1 :
This type, previously called insulin-dependent DM is usually found in the young. Here, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed, and the disease can only be controlled with daily insulin injections, together with proper diet and exercise.
The warning symptoms are mostly sudden in onset, and include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme thirst, frequent urination
- Extreme hunger with weight loss
- Tiredness and irritability
If these symptoms occur suddenly, see your doctor immediately.
Type 2 :
This is the most common type in Singapore. Usually also called non-insulin-dependent DM, can often be controlled by diet and exercise. However, for many, tablets are needed; and in severe cases, insulin injections as well.
Patients often have no warning symptoms. Some are diagnosed on routine blood tests, while others only when they develop complications.
Warning symptoms, which may occur gradually, include:
- Fungal infection, itching of skin and genitals
- Thirst with frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blurred vision or change in vision
- Numbness or tingling of hands and feet
- Slow healing of wounds
- Tiredness and irritability
See your doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent or delay serious complications.
Untreated or uncontrolled DM can lead to serious complications. This can be attributed to high glucose levels, which damage the small blood vessels, especially of the eyes, kidneys and nerves, and the skin.
As blood flow to various tissues is reduced or cut off, damage occurs. Nerves that are affected lose the sense of feeling, and hence diabetics often injure themselves without realizing it. The wounds incurred are slow to heal, and can get infected easily.
Common complications of DM are:
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Blindness
- Stroke
- Coma or loss of consciousness
- Infection and gangrene (decay of limbs)
- Amputation
There is no cure for diabetes at present. However the disease can be controlled by treatment, which needs to be life-long.
Type 2 DM, which is often associated with overweight, may be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle :
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a balanced diet
- Exercising regularly
- Not smoking
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