Diabetes is a common hormone disorder that affects many overweight and obese individuals. There is a strong correlation between individuals who have a higher body mass index (BMI) and those who develop type 2 diabetes. Here is a breakdown of diabetes for the bariatric patient.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine (hormonal) disorder characterized by frequently high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time. Our glucose (sugar) levels in our blood are tightly regulated by insulin (a hormone made by the pancreas), which is designed to keep our blood sugar level in a reasonably narrow range. When the glucose levels in the blood are persistently too high, this will ultimately impact the body’s organs and tissues, resulting in long-term damage and possibly death. The name “diabetes” comes from the Latin meaning of “pass-through,” referring to increased urination and Mellitus, aka sweetened. In the past, diabetes mellitus was referred to as sweet urine.
Breakdown of Diabetes for the Bariatric Patient
Symptoms of Diabetes
The most common initial symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, thirst, and increased hunger. The persistently high glucose levels in the blood cause kidneys to excrete glucose into the urine (sweet urine). Before measuring the glucose levels in the blood, physicians would suspect the diagnosis of diabetes when the patient’s urine tasted sweet. The increased glucose in the urine results in decreased water absorption by the kidneys, leading to increased urine production and fluid losses that ultimately cause dehydration and increased thirst.
Furthermore, the lower levels of glucose in the body’s cells stimulate increased appetite and hunger. If the glucose level gets too high, then many acute complications can arise, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, diabetic coma, and even death. Other less specific signs of diabetes are blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, mental fog, and poor wound healing.
Complications of Diabetes
Long term, persistently elevated glucose levels will ultimately lead to damage to small blood vessels limiting blood flow to the regions of the body that these vessels serve. The most common long-term complications from this damage are seen in the vital organs such as the heart (cardiovascular disease leading to heart attacks), brain (leading to strokes), and the kidney (leading to kidney failure and ultimately dialysis).