25/04/2024
Let's dive into the world of Diabetes. Our first topic is: Introduction to Diabetes.
*Definition and Types of Diabetes*
Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood sugar levels, which can lead to various complications if left untreated or poorly managed.
There are several types of diabetes:
1. *Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)*: An autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. People with T1D are insulin-dependent and need to take insulin injections to control their blood sugar.
2. *Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)*: A metabolic disorder that is caused by a combination of insulin resistance (when the body's cells become less responsive to insulin) and impaired insulin secretion. T2D is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of all diabetes cases.
3. *Gestational Diabetes (GDM)*: A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, usually in the second or third trimester. GDM is caused by hormonal changes and insulin resistance, and it typically goes away after pregnancy. However, women who have had GDM are at increased risk of developing T2D later in life.
4. *LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults)*: A form of T1D that develops in adults, often after the age of 30. Like T1D, LADA is an autoimmune disease, but it progresses more slowly.
5. *MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young)*: A rare form of diabetes that is inherited and typically develops in young adulthood. MODY is caused by genetic mutations that affect insulin production.
Prevalence and Statistics
Diabetes is a growing global health concern, with:
- Over 463 million people worldwide living with diabetes (2019)
- 1 in 11 adults (9.3%) having diabetes (2019)
- 1 in 2 adults (50%) with undiagnosed diabetes (2019)
- 4.2 million deaths attributed to diabetes in 2019
These numbers are expected to rise, with the International Diabetes Federation estimating that 578 million people will have diabetes by 2030 and 700 million by 2045.
That's a brief overview of the introduction to diabetes! Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification on any of the points.
