Understanding Diabetes: Types, Treatment, and Legacy Phenomenon…!

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar properly. There are different types of diabetes, each with unique causes and treatment needs. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children or young people when the pancreas stops producing insulin completely, making lifelong insulin injections necessary. Type 2 diabetes, more common in adults but increasingly seen in children, occurs when insulin is produced but does not work effectively due to insulin resistance. It may initially be controlled through diet, exercise, and tablets, but many patients eventually require insulin. Gestational diabetes typically develops during pregnancy and often disappears after delivery, yet both the mother and child remain at higher risk of developing diabetes later. Secondary diabetes can occur due to pancreatic infections, steroid use, alcohol, or chronic pancreatitis etc. Another form, known as NODAT (New Onset Diabetes After Transplant), has also been identified. Malnutrition-related diabetes (Type 5) arises when poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy prevents proper development of the child’s pancreas, leading to early beta cell failure in adult life. A condition called “double diabetes” is also seen when children with Type 1 diabetes develop the features of Type 2 due to obesity. Diagnosis for Type 1DM often involves a C-peptide test, which measures how much insulin the body is still making. Importantly, early and strict sugar control provides lasting benefits, known as the Legacy Effect and Good Glycemic Memory, helping prevent complications of the kidney, heart, eyes, nerves, and other organs in subsequent years of life. Good glucose control also keeps mitochondria healthy, ensuring better long-term health. In addition, new GLP-1 analogs such as Tirzepatide and Semaglutide have shown benefits for weight reduction and organ protection, though they should only be taken under medical guidance. Expert- Dr Sunil Gupta Anchor- Mrs. Purva Kulkarni Podcast: 13/06/2025 Recorded at: Akashwani Nagpur Episode: 77