What Kind of Disease is Diabetes?

Question

What Kind of Disease is Diabetes?

Answer

Diabetes is a multifactorial metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, accompanied by disorders in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism due to defects in insulin secretion or action. Firstly, diabetes falls under the category of ‘metabolic diseases,’ which essentially refers to abnormal metabolism of the three major nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. When carbohydrate metabolism is impaired, blood sugar levels rise; when protein metabolism is affected, the body’s ability to synthesize proteins is compromised, leading to difficulties in wound healing, weakened immunity, and restricted growth and development in children—processes that require sufficient protein. When fat metabolism is disrupted, there is an increase in fat breakdown and a limitation in synthesis, causing individuals to become increasingly thin and potentially leading to diabetic ketoacidosis. Secondly, the hallmark of diabetes is the abnormal elevation of blood sugar levels. Although diabetes can affect the body in various ways, the most prominent feature is the abnormal increase in blood sugar levels. Moreover, the root cause of diabetes lies with insulin—either a deficiency in insulin secretion (meaning less insulin is produced) or a defect in insulin action (meaning it cannot function normally), or both. Finally, diabetes has many causes. Different causes can lead to different types of diabetes, with varying clinical presentations and treatment approaches. Currently, diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled through medication and lifestyle adjustments to delay the onset of complications.