Diabetology & Endocrinology

 

Doctor List

  • Dr. Ajitesh Roy , MD (Gen. Med), DM (Endo) (Chief of Endocrinology)

  • Dr. Samir Dasgupta , MBBS, MD (Medicine)

  • Dr. Silima Subhasnigdha Tarenia , MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Endocrinology)

 

India is termed as the Diabetic capital of the world. The term "Diabetes" refers to a group of diseases that affects the way our body uses Blood Glucose, commonly called Blood Sugar. Glucose is vital for our health as it is the main source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues.

Ruby General Hospital provides the "technologically" latest care in the management of Diabetes & Diabetes related complications like Hypertension, Lipid disorders, Obesity, Neuropathy and Nephropathy. The hospital also provides Super-specialist consultations on other Endocrine related problems like Infertility, Growth Problems, problems of Secondary Sexual development, Thyroid & Adrenal Disorders.

 

Overview

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy.

Different factors, including genetics and some viruses, may contribute to type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults.

Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. Treatment focuses on managing blood sugar levels with insulin, diet and lifestyle to prevent complications.

 

Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes signs and symptoms can appear relatively suddenly and may include:

  • Increased thirst

  • Frequent urination

  • Bed-wetting in children who previously didn't wet the bed during the night

  • Extreme hunger

  • Unintended weight loss

  • Irritability and other mood changes

  • Fatigue and weakness

  • Blurred vision

 

When to see a doctor

Consult a doctor if he / she notices any of the above signs and symptoms in him / her or his / her child.

 

Causes

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Usually, the body's own immune system — which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses — mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing (islet, or islets of Langerhans) cells in the pancreas. Other possible causes include:

  • Genetics

  • Exposure to viruses and other environmental factors

 

The role of insulin

Once a significant number of islet cells are destroyed, little or no insulin is produced. Insulin is a hormone that comes from a gland situated behind and below the stomach (pancreas).

  • The pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream.

  • Insulin circulates, allowing sugar to enter the cells.

  • Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.

  • As the blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.

 

The Role of Glucose

Glucose — a sugar — is a main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues.

  • Glucose comes from two major sources: food and the liver.

  • Sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it enters cells with the help of insulin.

  • The liver stores glucose as glycogen.

  • When the glucose levels are low, such as when one has not eaten in a while, the liver breaks down the stored glycogen into glucose to keep the glucose levels within a normal range.

In type 1 diabetes, there's no insulin to let glucose into the cells, so sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This can cause life-threatening complications.

 

Risk factors

Some known risk factors for type 1 diabetes include

  • Family history
    Anyone with a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes has a slightly increased risk of developing the condition.

  • Genetics
    The presence of certain genes indicates an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

  • Geography
    The incidence of type 1 diabetes tends to increase as one travels away from the equator.

  • Age
     Although type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, it appears at two noticeable peaks. The first peak occurs in children between 4 and 7 years old, and the second is in children between 10 and 14 years old.

 

Complications

Over time, type 1 diabetes complications can affect major organs in the body, including heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Maintaining a normal blood sugar level can dramatically reduce the risk of many complications.

Eventually, diabetes complications may be disabling or even life-threatening.

  • Heart and blood vessel disease
    Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke, narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure.

  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
    Excess sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish the nerves, especially in the legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward. Poorly controlled blood sugar could cause one to eventually lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs.
    Damage to the nerves that affect the gastrointestinal tract can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue.

  • Kidney damage (nephropathy)
    The kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessel clusters that filter waste from the blood. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.

  • Eye damage
      Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially causing blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of other serious vision conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma.

  • Foot damage
     Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of various foot complications. If left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections that may ultimately require toe, foot or leg amputation.

  • Skin and mouth conditions
     Diabetes may leave one more susceptible to infections of the skin and mouth, including bacterial and fungal infections. Gum disease and dry mouth also are more likely.

  • Pregnancy complications
     High blood sugar levels can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. The risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects increases when diabetes is not well-controlled. For the mother, diabetes increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic eye problems (retinopathy), pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and preeclampsia.

 

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnostic tests include

  • Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test
    This blood test indicates the average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. It measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells (hemoglobin). The higher the blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin one will have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.

If the A1C test isn't available, or if one has certain conditions that can make the A1C test inaccurate — such as pregnancy or an uncommon form of hemoglobin (hemoglobin variant) — the doctor may use the following tests:

  • Random blood sugar test
    Blood sample will be taken at a random time and may be confirmed by repeat testing. Blood sugar values are expressed in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Regardless of when one eats, a random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher suggests diabetes, especially when coupled with any of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination and extreme thirst.

  • Fasting blood sugar test
    A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it is 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, then it is diabetes.

If diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor may also run blood tests to check for autoantibodies that are common in type 1 diabetes. These tests help the doctor distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes when the diagnosis is uncertain. The presence of ketones — by products from the breakdown of fat in the urine also suggests type 1 diabetes, rather than type 2.

 

Treatment

Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes

  • Taking insulin

  • Carbohydrate, fat and protein counting

  • Frequent blood sugar monitoring

  • Eating healthy foods

  • Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight

 

Insulin And Other Medications

Anyone who has type 1 diabetes needs lifelong insulin therapy.

Types of insulin are many and include

  • Short-acting (regular) insulin

  • Rapid-acting insulin

  • Intermediate-acting (NPH) insulin

  • Long-acting insulin

Insulin cannot be taken orally to lower blood sugar because stomach enzymes will break down the insulin, preventing its action. One needs to receive it either through injections or an insulin pump.

  • Injections
    One can use a fine needle and syringe or an insulin pen to inject insulin under the skin. Insulin pens look similar to ink pens and are available in disposable or refillable varieties.
    If one chooses injections, he / she will likely need a mixture of insulin types to use throughout the day and night. Multiple daily injections that include a combination of a long - acting insulin combined with a rapid-acting insulin more closely mimic the body's normal use of insulin than do older insulin regimens that only required one or two shots a day. A regimen of three or more insulin injections a day has been shown to improve blood sugar levels.

  • An insulin pump
    One has to wear this device, which is about the size of a cellphone, on the outside of the body. A tube connects a reservoir of insulin to a catheter that is inserted under the skin of the abdomen. This type of pump can be worn in a variety of ways, such as on the waistband, in the pocket or with specially designed pump belts.
    There is also a wireless pump option. One can wear a pod that houses the insulin reservoir on the body that has a tiny catheter that is inserted under the skin. The insulin pod can be worn on the abdomen, lower back, or on a leg or an arm. The programming is done with a wireless device that communicates with the pod.
    Pumps are programmed to dispense specific amounts of rapid-acting insulin automatically. This steady dose of insulin is known as the basal rate, and it replaces whatever long-acting insulin one had been using.
    When you eat, you program the pump with the amount of carbohydrates you're eating and your current blood sugar, and it will give you what's called a bolus dose of insulin to cover your meal and to correct your blood sugar if it's elevated. Some research has found that in some people an insulin pump can be more effective at controlling blood sugar levels than injections. But many people achieve good blood sugar levels with injections, too. An insulin pump combined with a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device may provide even tighter blood sugar control.

 

Other medications

Additional medications also may be prescribed for people with type 1 diabetes, such as

  • High blood pressure medications
    The doctor may prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) to help keep the kidneys healthy. These medications are recommended for people with diabetes who have blood pressures above 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

  • Aspirin
    The doctor may recommend to take regular aspirin to protect the heart.

  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs
    Cholesterol guidelines tend to be more aggressive for people with diabetes because of the elevated risk of heart disease. The American Diabetes Association recommends that low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol be below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L). The high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol is recommended to be over 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women and over 40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) in men. Triglycerides, another type of blood fat, are ideal when they are less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L).

  • Healthy eating and monitoring carbohydrates
    There is no such thing as a diabetic diet. However, it is important to center the diet on nutritious, low-fat, high-fiber foods such as:
    Fruits
    Vegetables
    Whole grains

    The dietitian will recommend to eat fewer animal products and refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and sweets. This healthy-eating plan is recommended even for people without diabetes.
    There is a need to learn how to count the amount of carbohydrates in the foods one eats, so that one can give oneself enough insulin to properly metabolize those carbohydrates. A registered dietitian can help to create a meal plan that fits the respective needs.

  • Physical activity
    Everyone needs regular exercise, and people who have type 1 diabetes are no exception. First, get the doctor's approval to exercise. Then choose activities one enjoys, such as walking or swimming, and make them part of the daily routine. Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, with no more than two days without any exercise. The goal for children is at least an hour of activity a day.
    Remember that physical activity lowers blood sugar. If one begins a new activity, check the blood sugar level more often than usual until one knows how that activity affects the blood sugar levels. One might need to adjust his / her meal plan or insulin doses to compensate for the increased activity.

 

Situational concerns

Certain life circumstances call for different considerations.

  • Driving
    Hypoglycemia can occur at any time. It is a good idea to check the blood sugar anytime one is getting behind the wheel. If it's below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), have a snack with 15 grams of carbohydrates. Retest again in 15 minutes to make sure it has risen to a safe level.

  • Working
    Type 1 diabetes can pose some challenges in the workplace. For example, if the job involves driving or operating heavy machinery, hypoglycemia could pose a serious risk to oneself and those around. He / she may need to work with the doctor and the employer to ensure that certain accommodations are made, such as additional breaks for blood sugar testing and fast access to food and drink.

  • Being pregnant
    The risk of pregnancy complications is higher for women with type 1 diabetes, experts recommend that women have a preconception evaluation and that A1C readings ideally should be less than 6.5 percent before they attempt to get pregnant.
    The risk of birth defects is increased for women with type 1 diabetes, particularly when diabetes is poorly controlled during the first six to eight weeks of pregnancy. Careful management of diabetes during pregnancy can decrease the risk of complications.

  • Being older
    For those who are frail or sick or have cognitive deficits, tight control of blood sugar may not be practical and could increase the risk of hypoglycemia. For many people with type 1 diabetes, a less stringent A1C goal of less than 8 percent may be appropriate.

 

Signs of trouble

Despite best efforts, sometimes problems will arise. Certain short-term complications of type 1 diabetes, such as hypoglycemia, require immediate care.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

This occurs when the blood sugar level drops below the target range. Consult the doctor about what range should be considered a low blood sugar level for oneself. Blood sugar levels can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal, eating fewer carbohydrates than called for in the meal plan, getting more physical activity than normal or injecting too much insulin.

Learn the symptoms of hypoglycemia, and test the blood sugar level if one thinks that the sugar levels are dropping. When in doubt, always test the blood sugar. Early signs and symptoms of low blood sugar include:

  • Sweating

  • Shakiness

  • Hunger

  • Dizziness or light headedness

  • Rapid or irregular heart rate

  • Fatigue

  • Headaches

  • Blurred vision

  • Irritability

Later signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, which can sometimes be mistaken for alcohol intoxication in teens and adults, include:

  • Lethargy

  • Confusion

  • Behavior changes, sometimes dramatic

  • Poor coordination

  • Convulsions

Nighttime hypoglycemia may cause one to wake with sweat-soaked pajamas or a headache. Due to a natural rebound effect, nighttime hypoglycemia sometimes might cause an unusually high blood sugar reading first thing in the morning, also known as Somogyi effect.

If one has a low blood sugar reading

  • Have 15 to 20 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candy, regular (not diet) soda or another source of sugar. Avoid foods with added fat, which don't raise blood sugar as quickly because fat slows sugar absorption.

  • Retest the blood sugar in about 15 minutes to make sure it is normal.

  • If it is still low, have another 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrate and retest in another 15 minutes.

  • Repeat until one gets a normal reading.

  • Eat a mixed food source, such as peanut butter and crackers, to help stabilize the blood sugar.

If a blood glucose meter is not readily available, treat for low blood sugar anyway if one has symptoms of hypoglycemia, and then test as soon as possible.

If left untreated, low blood sugar can cause loss of consciousness. If this occurs, one may need an emergency injection of glucagon — a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood. Make sure to always have an unexpired glucagon emergency kit available at home, at work and whenever outside. Make sure that co-workers, family and friends know how to use the kit in case one is unable to inject oneself.

Hypoglycemia unawareness

Some people may lose the ability to sense that their blood sugar levels are getting low, called hypoglycemia unawareness. The body no longer reacts to a low blood sugar level with symptoms such as lightheadedness or headaches. The more one experiences low blood sugar, it is more likely to develop hypoglycemia unawareness. If one can avoid having a hypoglycemic episode for several weeks, one may start to become more aware of impending lows. Sometimes, increasing the blood sugar target (for example, from 80 to 120 mg/DL to 100 to 140 mg/DL) at least temporarily can also help improve hypoglycemia awareness.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

The blood sugar can rise for many reasons, including eating too much, eating the wrong types of foods, not taking enough insulin or fighting an illness.

What to watch out for:

  • Frequent urination

  • Increased thirst

  • Blurred vision

  • Fatigue

  • Irritability

  • Hunger

  • Difficulty concentrating

If one suspects hyperglycemia, one should check the blood sugar level. If the blood sugar is higher than the target range, one likely needs to administer a "correction" — an additional dose of insulin that should bring the blood sugar back to normal. High blood sugar levels do not come down as quickly as they go up. A doctor should be consulted as to how long one should wait until a recheck. If an insulin pump is used, random high blood sugar readings may mean one needs to change the pump site.

If one has a blood sugar reading above 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L), test for ketones should be done using a urine test stick. Do not exercise if the blood sugar level is above 240 mg/dL or if ketones are present. If only a trace or small amounts of ketones are present, drink extra fluids to flush out the ketones.

If the blood sugar is persistently above 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L), or if your urine ketones remain high despite taking appropriate correction doses of insulin, consult the doctor or seek emergency care.

Increased ketones in the urine (diabetic ketoacidosis)

the cells are starved for energy, the body may begin to break down fat — producing toxic acids known as ketones. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening emergency.

Signs and symptoms of this serious condition include :

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • A sweet, fruity smell on your breath

  • Weight loss

If one suspects ketoacidosis, check the urine for excess ketones with an over-the-counter ketones test kit. If one has large amounts of ketones in the urine, consult a doctor right away or seek emergency care. Also, call the doctor if one has vomited more than once and ketones are present in the urine.

 

Lifestyle and home remedies

Careful management of type 1 diabetes can reduce the risk of serious, even life-threatening complications. Consider these tips :

  • Make a commitment to manage diabetes :
    Take proper medications as recommended. Learn about type 1 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of the daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and seek help from a health care team.

  • Identify yourself :
    Wear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes. Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency, and make sure friends and loved ones know how to use it.

  • Schedule a yearly physical exam and regular eye exams :
    Regular diabetes checkups are not meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical, the doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications, as well as screen for other medical problems. The eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.

  • Keep the vaccinations up to date
    High blood sugar can weaken the immune system. Get a flu shot every year. The doctor will likely recommend the pneumonia vaccine, as well.

  • Pay attention to the feet
    Wash feet daily in lukewarm water. Dry them gently, especially between the toes. Moisturize the feet with lotion. Check the feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling. Consult the doctor if one has a sore or other foot problem that doesn't heal.

  • Keep the blood pressure and cholesterol under control
    Eating healthy food and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Medication may be needed, too.

  • If one smokes or uses other forms of tobacco, ask the doctor to help quit
    Smoking increases the risk of diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. Consult a doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.

  • If consuming alcohol, do so responsibly
    Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much one drinks and eats at the same time. If one chooses to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. Check the blood sugar levels before going to sleep.

  • Take stress seriously
    The hormones produced by the body due to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which can be stressful and frustrating. Take a step back, and set some limits. Prioritize the tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.

 
 
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