Diabetes Mellitus

It is a chronic condition characterized by the accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream, leading to vascular damage, caused by the deficiency or ineffectiveness of the hormone insulin, which is responsible for facilitating the entry of dietary glucose into cells for energy conversion.

Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune destruction of the pancreas resulting in absolute insulin deficiency; it typically presents in childhood and necessitates exogenous insulin administration.
Type 2 Diabetes: Primarily triggered by obesity and physical inactivity. Insulin is produced, but cellular response is impaired (insulin resistance); it typically affects adults and can be managed with oral medications and dietary modifications.

It is the early warning stage wherein fasting blood glucose is elevated above normal (100-125 mg/dL) but has not yet reached the diagnostic threshold for diabetes (126 mg/dL and above). Disease progression can be prevented through intensive lifestyle interventions.

The classic symptomatic triad includes: Polydipsia (excessive and unquenchable thirst), Polyuria (frequent and voluminous urination, including nocturia), and Polyphagia (persistent hunger despite adequate caloric intake).

Chronically elevated blood glucose levels progressively induce microvascular and macrovascular damage, culminating in severe complications such as blindness (diabetic retinopathy), end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis (diabetic nephropathy), and severe sensory loss often leading to lower limb amputation (diabetic neuropathy).

While capillary blood glucose monitoring reflects immediate levels, the laboratory HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) test indicates the exact average of blood glucose concentrations over the preceding 3 months. Therapeutic efficacy is assessed by maintaining this parameter around 6.5%.