🩺 Diabetes Mellitus: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment (Complete Guide for Pharmacy Students)

Focus Keyword: Diabetes Mellitus

Secondary Keywords: Types of Diabetes, Symptoms of Diabetes, Diabetes Treatment, Insulin Therapy, Diabetes Awareness

📌 What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). It occurs either due to:

• Insufficient insulin production

• Defective insulin action (insulin resistance)

• Or both

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose enter body cells to be used as energy.

🔬 Types of Diabetes

1️⃣ Type 1 Diabetes

• Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells

• Absolute insulin deficiency

• Common in children and young adults

• Requires lifelong insulin therapy

2️⃣ Type 2 Diabetes

• Most common type (90–95% cases)

• Insulin resistance + relative insulin deficiency

• Strongly linked to obesity and sedentary lifestyle

• Managed with oral drugs, lifestyle modification, and sometimes insulin

3️⃣ Gestational Diabetes

• Occurs during pregnancy

• Usually resolves after delivery

• Increases risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later

⚠️ Classic Symptoms of Diabetes (The 3 P’s)

• Polyuria – Frequent urination

• Polydipsia – Excessive thirst

• Polyphagia – Excessive hunger

• Weight loss

• Blurred vision

• Delayed wound healing

👉 Important for exams: The “3 P’s” are frequently asked in viva and university papers.

🧪 Diagnosis of Diabetes

Diabetes is diagnosed when:

• Fasting Plasma Glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL

• Random Blood Sugar ≥ 200 mg/dL

• HbA1c ≥ 6.5%

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test abnormal

💊 Treatment of Diabetes

Oral Antidiabetic Drugs

Common classes:

• Biguanides (Metformin)

• Sulfonylureas

• DPP-4 inhibitors

• SGLT-2 inhibitors

Insulin Therapy

Types of insulin:

• Rapid-acting

• Short-acting

• Intermediate-acting

• Long-acting

🚨 Complications of Uncontrolled Diabetes

• Diabetic neuropathy

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Diabetic nephropathy

• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

• Cardiovascular disease

🥗 Prevention & Lifestyle Management

• 30 minutes daily exercise

• Balanced low-sugar diet

• Weight management

• Regular glucose monitoring

• Avoid smoking and alcohol

 ✍️ Conclusion

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Early diagnosis, proper pharmacological management, and lifestyle modification can significantly reduce complications. For pharmacy students, this topic is clinically and academically very important.