Tag: pancreas

Categories
Latest Updates

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a health condition that shares certain characteristics of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. LADA is also known as Type 1.5 diabetes. 

LADA is successfully diagnosed during adulthood. Moreover, it is set in a gradual manner, similar to Type 2 diabetes. However, unlike Type 2 diabetes, LADA is primarily an autoimmune disease that cannot be reversed by making changes to your lifestyle or diet.

The functioning of your beta cells comes to a halt much more quickly if you develop 1.5 diabetes in comparison with the development of Type 2 diabetes. 

LADA can easily be (and is often) wrongly diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. If you are in the adequate weight range, lead an active lifestyle, and have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the chances of you having LADA are quite high.

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults Symptoms

LADA symptoms can be quite vague initially. These symptoms may include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination, especially at night
  • Sudden, unexpected weight loss
  • Blurry vision
  • Tingling nerves

When left untreated, LADA can lead to other health complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis. 

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults Causes

To understand the causes of LADA, it is essential to understand the differences between other primary types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is also an autoimmune health disease because it is the result of your own body destroying the beta cells of the pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes is characterised primarily by your body’s resistance to the effects of insulin. Insulin resistance can be caused by genetic as well as environmental factors, such as obesity, lack of physical activity, and an unhealthy diet.

Type 1.5 diabetes can be the result of damage done to the pancreas by antibodies against insulin-producing cells. Genetic factors, too, maybe involved, such as a family history of autoimmune diseases. When the pancreas is damaged in LADA, the body destroys pancreatic beta cells, in the same way as that of Type 1 diabetes. If an individual with LADA happens to be obese or overweight, insulin resistance may also be involved.

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults Diagnosis

LADA occurs in adulthood; hence, it is commonly mistaken for Type 2 diabetes. Most individuals who have developed LADA are over 40 years of age. Moreover, individuals in their 70s and 80s, too, can develop LADA.

The process of being diagnosed with LADA can take a considerable amount of time. Individuals with LADA tend to meet the criteria mentioned below:

  • Lack of obesity
  • Being over the age of 30 during the time of diagnosis
  • Inability to manage diabetes symptoms with oral medications or changes to diet and lifestyle

Tests to diagnose any form of types include the following:

  • Fasting Plasma Glucose Test: This test is conducted on individuals after they have fasted for a minimum of 8 hours.
  • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: This test is conducted after you have fasted for 8 hours, and 2 hours post-consumption of a high-glucose beverage.
  • Random Plasma Glucose Test: This test assesses your blood sugar levels, without considering the last time you consumed food.

In addition to the above tests, your blood may also be tested for the presence of specific antibodies when you have developed a type of diabetes that is caused by autoimmune reactions in your body.

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults Treatment

LADA results from the inability of your body to produce sufficient insulin. However, because its onset is gradual, oral medications that are used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes can work initially. 

As your body slows down the production of insulin, you will need insulin as an integral part of your treatment. Individuals who have developed LADA may need insulin within a period of 5 years.

Insulin treatment is the preferred method of treatment for those with LADA. The dosage of insulin that you may require can vary daily; hence, it is essential to monitor your blood sugar levels through testing.

On A Final Note

Presently, there is no way to prevent LADA. Similar to Type 1 diabetes, there are genetic factors involved during the disease’s progression. Prompt, accurate diagnosis and management of symptoms are the best ways to avoid complications arising from LADA.

References:

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/type-1-5-diabetes
  2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/expert-answers/lada-diabetes/faq-20057880
Categories
Diabetes Care

What Indian Parents Need To Know About Juvenile Diabetes

The first thing that Indian parents need to know when their child develops diabetes is what precisely is juvenile diabetes. Juvenile diabetes is primarily an autoimmune disorder and is also known as type 1 diabetes. As suggested by the name, this form of diabetes is generally diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, which is in sharp contrast to type 2 diabetes because the latter commonly affects adults.

Individuals with all types of diabetes share one common feature: high amounts of glucose (or sugar) in their blood.

How Does Glucose Work In Those With Juvenile Diabetes?

After you consume any food, your body successfully breaks down the food into glucose (or sugar) and other substances, which enters the bloodstream. In response, your pancreas releases insulin, which is a hormone that assists fat and muscle cells to use glucose for energy. 

When it comes to children with juvenile diabetes, their immune system starts to get confused and begins attacking the beta cells of the pancreas, thus shutting down the production of insulin. Without insulin to successfully guide glucose into the cells of the body, glucose begins to build up in the blood, leading to a wide range of health issues.

Who Gets Juvenile Diabetes?

The most common age when children are generally diagnosed with juvenile diabetes is between the years 10 and 16. This is probably because puberty triggers an increase in the production of hormones (such as oestrogen and testosterone) that may affect blood sugar levels.

Causes Of Juvenile Diabetes

The precise cause of juvenile diabetes is not yet known. Besides the obvious cause of the body’s own immune system (which typically fights bacteria and viruses) mistakenly destroying the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, genetic factors, exposure to viruses, and environmental factors may cause the development of juvenile diabetes.  

Juvenile diabetes is not linked to any specific gene that you can successfully test for. Although autoimmune disorders run in families, most instances of juvenile diabetes appear to occur in a random manner. 

Other possible factors that play a role in the development of this condition are listed below:

  • Ethnicity And Geography:

    The condition is more common among individuals who live further away from the equator. For instance, Scandinavian countries. Moreover, Caucasians of Northern European ancestry are at a higher risk.

  • Genetics:

    Although there is no specific gene that leads to juvenile diabetes, there exist several genes and genetic mutations that can increase a child’s risk of developing juvenile diabetes. For instance, mutations in HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class of genes.

  • Family History:

    If autoimmune diseases run in your family, that eventually means that your child is at a higher risk of developing the same. 

  • Toxins And Infections:

    Researchers are of the opinion that a specific toxin or virus triggers the commencement of this condition.

Symptoms Of Juvenile Diabetes

The signs and symptoms of juvenile diabetes can appear in a sudden manner and may include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Bedwetting 
  • Severe Hunger
  • Unintended and unexplained weight loss
  • Irritability and mood changes
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Blurry vision

Treatments For Juvenile Diabetes

  • Taking shots of insulin
  • Counting of carbs, fats, and proteins to be consumed
  • Frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels
  • Consuming healthy food items
  • Regular exercise and maintenance of a healthy weight

The ultimate goal is to keep your blood glucose levels in the normal range to delay or prevent diabetic complications. 

Insulin And Other Medications

Anyone with juvenile diabetes needs insulin therapy on a lifelong basis. Some of the most common types of insulin include short-acting or regular insulin, rapid-acting insulin, intermediate-acting or NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin, and long-acting insulin. 

Insulin can be administered via injections or an insulin pump. In addition, CGM (or Continuous Glucose Monitoring) is the most advanced way to monitor blood sugar levels.

How To Help Your Child

As a parent, you can help your child lead a happier and healthier life by offering constant encouragement, learning all the essential information about juvenile diabetes, and ensuring that your child eats well, exercises regularly, and stays on top of blood sugar control every day. 

Living with diabetes is quite a challenge for anyone, but children and teenagers have special issues that need to be tackled. Young children may not understand the need for blood sugar monitoring, insulin shots, or intaking medicines. They may be terrified, uncooperative, or angry.

Hence, you need to offer stupendous support and courage.

On A Final Note

Having a child diagnosed with juvenile diabetes may seem to be a tad overwhelming at times; however, you must realise that you are not alone. If you are confronted with problems or questions, make it a point to seek professional help. 

Reference Links: