Dr. Anirban Biswas

Type 1 diabetes is commonly referred to as juvenile diabetes and is mostly witnessed among young people. It can also occur in adults. In this condition, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or completely stops producing insulin. The immune system, which saves the body from foreign microbes, attacks the cells that are responsible for producing insulin. The treatment methods include taking insulin shots, oral insulin intake, taking healthy diet, increased physical activity and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition wherein the body refuses to use insulin in order to carry glucose to each and every cell of the body. The pancreas try to produce more insulin in order to counter the condition but soon give up due to an increased blood pressure. The treatment plan includes medication, making lifestyle changes, and controlling blood-sugar and cholesterol levels.

Gestational diabetes is observed in many pregnant women. The hormones produced during pregnancy can block insulin to be used by the body. While insulin resistance is common during pregnancy, failure of the pancreas to fill in the additional insulin in the body can result in gestational diabetes. Women who are overweight are more likely to develop this condition. Although gestational diabetes goes automatically after the baby is born, it often recurs in the form of type 2 diabetes in a later stage of life. 

Risk factors for diabetes

1. Weight: Being overweight is a primary risk factor for diabetes. An increased amount of adipose tissue increases the risk of insulin resistance by the body. It is therefore essential to shed as much weight as one can to avoid diabetes.
2. Inactivity: Immobility increases the risk of diabetes in a person. It stacks up glucose in the body, making it difficult for the body to use glucose and convert it into energy. A daily routine which is devoid of physical activity ensures fat storage in the body, which can turn into type 2 diabetes.
3. Family history: Diabetes, especially type 2, is closely linked with family history. If a person has diabetes, it is very likely that his immediate family or extended family has a history of diabetes.
4. Ethnicity: African-Americans, people from the Indian subcontinent, Latinos, etc., are more likely to suffer from diabetes compared to their American or European counterparts. Lifestyle and eating habits are the major reasons for diabetes in these races.
5. Age: Age has a direct correlation with diabetes. The age group of 45–65 is considered to be more diabetes-prone. Inactivity, immobility, and an increase of sugar intake are some of the primary reasons for developing diabetes in this age group.

The lifestyle condition, diabetes, is occurring in a substantial percentage of the population across the world, and quite a lot of research goes into the treatment options. If you experience a weight gain as you started taking medication for diabetes and wondering if there could be a correlation between the two, your observation is most likely correct as studies report that diabetic medication in some rare cases can lead to weight gains in some patients.

Weight gain due to insulin

• Insulin is used to control blood glucose levels by enabling glucose absorption in the body. However, excess glucose in the blood can sometimes be not used as energy by the muscles and is often stored as fat. Moreover, many patients that take insulin to reduce blood sugar levels might be taking too much insulin, which leads to increased appetite, and it makes them eat much more than they normally would. If you happen to be putting on weight while being on insulin, it is recommended to consult your physician immediately to help control weight gain.
• As the insulin runs through its course of treatment and reduces the blood glucose levels in the body, it should reduce an adult's appetite to normal, and the cravings for food will also reduce over time. It is also to be noted that low levels of blood sugar due to an overdose of insulin can lead to increased appetite and ask your physician to revise the insulin dosage can help.

Weight gain due to Sulphonylureas

• Sulphonylureas is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for blood glucose control that works by stimulating a patient's pancreas to produce higher levels of insulin. By doing so, the body has access to more insulin, and it helps transfer glucose out of the blood and into cells which can be used as energy. Just like the health risks that are associated with taking insulin, if you happen to be putting on weight because of Sulphonylureas, you need to visit your physician immediately to seek treatment and bring the symptoms in check.
• Steroid hormones are also recommended by many physicians in cases of high blood glucose, and they can have the same symptoms and effects as insulin or Sulphonylureas. Lower insulin levels always need to be supported by a healthy diet and proper lifestyle changes to allow the treatment to be effective.

So, if you notice any signs of weight gain while undergoing treatment for diabetes, you should consult your physician at the earliest to avoid further complications. It is important to not to cut back on the dosage of the prescribed medications to deal with the weight gain issue as it will not help and consulting a physician is the right way to go about it.

35 % more patients acheived glycemic control with proper sleep (8 hours /day). melatonin (altonil ) can be used for mild - mod insomnia in diabetic patients without any side-effects

Lionel Messi is arguably one of the greatest player in football history. did you know that he was short statured in his adolescence and even could have stopped playing football? his club sponsored his treatment with growth hormone and rest is history. watch how messi changed from smallest to greatest player in this world

The body produces a number of chemicals called hormones which are essential for the regulation of various functions including growth and metabolism. These hormones are produced by endocrine glands which are located in various parts of the body. One such important gland is the pituitary gland which produces the important growth hormone. This is essential for regulating optimal growth during the growing years and for maintaining proper amounts of body fat, muscles, and bones in the later years of life.

Causes: Deficiency of the growth hormones can occur due to a number of causes, some of which are listed below. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life.
The congenital issue could be due to problem in the pituitary gland structure, leading to complete absence or reduced secretion of the hormone.
With age, there is a decrease in the amount of secretion. However, infections, injuries, brain tumors, surgery and radiation can also lead to altered amounts of secretion.

Symptoms: While growth hormone deficiency can occur at any age, symptoms differ depending on the age when the deficiency sets in.
In the early ages:

• Lower rate of growth for a given age
• Delayed developmental milestones
• Delayed onset of puberty
• Short stature/reduced height
• Younger looking compared to other children their age
• Fat deposition around the waist
• Delayed dental development

When the deficiency sets in during the later years, there is

• Low energy levels, constant tiredness
• Decreased strength
• Decreased exercise tolerance
• Decreased overall muscle mass
• Thin and dry skin
• Increased fat deposition and weight gain around the waist
• Changes in social behavior including alternate cycles of anxiety and depression
• Lack of motivation
• History of pituitary tumors
• High levels of fat and cholesterol

The diagnosis depends on the age of the person

• Blood tests are carried out to check the hormone levels in circulation
• In children, in addition to the hormone levels, x-rays to see the status of growth plates is very helpful.
• An insulin hypoglycemia test where insulin is given intravenously to see the levels of the growth hormone after 30 minutes.
• Total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglyceride levels can be used to supplement the above tests.
• CT scan and/or MRI of the brain may be needed if tumors are suspected.

Treatment: Once diagnosed, replacement therapy is given as shots a few times a week under the skin. This restores normal growth and helps in controlling the symptoms in adults too.
In cases of tumor, radiation or surgery may be required, but most cases are managed with hormone replacement.
Watch out for the symptoms if your child has delayed developmental milestones and early intervention can help restore growth and function to normal levels. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Cushing’s syndrome occurs due to abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol. This can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is overuse of corticosteroid medications.

Causes:

Your adrenal glands produce cortisol. It helps with a number of your body’s functions, including:

1. Regulating blood pressure and the cardiovascular system

2. Reducing the immune system’s inflammatory response

3. Converting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy

4. Balancing the effects of insulin

5. Responding to stress

Your body may produce high levels of cortisol for a variety of reasons, including:

1. High stress levels, including stress related to an acute illness, surgery, injury, or pregnancy, especially in the final trimester

2. Athletic training

3. Malnutrition

4. Alcoholism

5. Depression, panic disorders, or high levels of emotional stress

The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is the use of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, in high doses for a long period. High doses of injectable steroids for treatment of back pain can also cause this syndrome.

Other causes include:

1. Pituitary gland tumor in which the pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is also known as Cushing’s disease

2. Ectopic ACTH syndrome, which causes tumors that usually occur in the lung, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus gland

3. Adrenal gland abnormality or tumor

Symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome:

The most common symptoms of this condition are:

• Weight gain
• Obesity
• Fatty deposits, especially in the midsection, the face and between the shoulders and the upper back (causing a buffalo hump)
• Purple stretch marks on the breasts, arms, abdomen, and thighs
• Thinning skin that bruises easily
• Skin injuries that are slow to heal & acne
• Fatigue, bone loss & muscle weakness 
• Increased thirst & urination
• Women may also notice extra facial and body hair, as well as absent or irregular menstruation.

Men may also have:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Lack of sexual interest & decreased fertility

Children with this condition are generally obese and have a slower rate of growth.

Every organ of the human body has a set of functions that it does perfectly until the entire system is normal. And, when things are not normal, the disruption can be felt in several parts of the body.
The thyroid is a classic example, as you suffer from the condition, several body functions are affected. Hyperthyroidism is the thyroid disorder that occurs when the thyroid produces excessive hormones. Hormones produced by thyroid gland regulate the body’s metabolism; hence, it is quite obvious that hyperthyroidism will increase several metabolic functions of the body.

Following is an account that gives a brief overview of the systems and functions affected in the body due to underlying hyperthyroidism:

1. Heart Health: The cardiovascular system reacts to even little disturbances, and in the case of an overactive thyroid, the person may experience increased heart rate, hand tremors, and palpitation. The increased heart rate may result in anxiety.
2. Reproductive system: Women affected by hyperthyroidism may face fertility issues due to irregularity in the menstrual flow. You may have lighter or irregular periods and may have difficulty conceiving. The thyroid hormone plays a significant role in embryonic development, and hence a thyroid disorder can be the cause of a miscarriage. Also, an overactive thyroid can result in preterm delivery, pre-eclampsia, heart failure in the newborn, growth restriction, and stillbirth.
3. Bone health: Hyperthyroidism or the low TSH levels can lead to a lifetime risk of bone fractures. This may not reverse even after the hyperthyroidism is cured.
4. Cholesterol levels: While hypothyroidism elevates the cholesterol levels, hyperthyroidism has an exactly opposite effect. An overactive thyroid may decrease the cholesterol levels to alarmingly low level, thus taking medications to treat hyperthyroidism become crucial.
5. Skin: A person with hyperthyroidism may experience several symptoms on the skin. Due to excessive metabolism the body heat increases which result in the skin becoming warm or hot to touch. Also, the skin can become thin and delicate, and gets excessively dry. The skin on some parts of the body can become hyperpigmented.
6. Weight loss: Thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating metabolism, and when they are over-produced, the body’s metabolism is accelerated thus resulting in significant weight loss. This is one of the classic symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Since hyperthyroidism also increases appetite, some people may end up gaining weight instead of losing it.
7. Excessive sweating: When the body processes speed up, the person suffering from hyperthyroidism will experience excessive sweating as well.
8. Anxiety and Insomnia: As an overactive thyroid activates the entire body processes higher than normal, the nervous system also becomes more active. An accelerated nervous system may cause anxiety and eventually lead to sleeplessness. In fact, anxiety and insomnia aggravate each other.
9. Increased bowel movements: Again, an increased production of thyroid hormone may accelerate your bowel movements. Sometimes, this may result in diarrhea as well.

So, the ideal way to deal with the situation is to seek medical attention as soon as you notice the common symptoms such as fatigue, lack of tolerance to cold or unexplained weight gain to avoid the complications involved.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!