Diabetes Mellitus: Understanding Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Insurance

As of June 2023, a study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology found that 101 million people in India, or 11.4% of the population, have diabetes. An even larger number, estimated at 136 million people or 15.3% of the population, could be living with pre-diabetes.

Diabetes, scientifically referred to as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic health condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose). In a healthy body, insulin, a hormone the pancreas produces, helps glucose enter your cells for energy. With diabetes, either your body doesn’t make enough insulin or your cells become resistant to its effects, which leads to high blood sugar levels.

This article explores the different symptoms of diabetes, its causes, treatment options, and the role of health insurance for diabetes patients.

Types and Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus comes in three main forms:

• Type 1 Diabetes

This autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Onset happens around childhood or young adulthood. The cause remains unknown, but it is likely genetic and may be triggered by environmental factors. It requires lifelong insulin treatment.

• Type 2 Diabetes

This is the most common type, accounting for around 90% of all diabetes cases. It develops when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to its effects. While it can develop at any age, it’s more common in adults. Several factors contribute to type 2 diabetes, including genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and age.

• Gestational Diabetes

This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after delivery. A history of gestational diabetes puts women at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause this type of diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms

Spotting the signs of diabetes early is key to avoiding serious health problems. Watch out for these common diabetes symptoms:

• Excessive thirst and urination: The body tries to eliminate excess sugar through the urine, leading to frequent urination and increased thirst to replenish fluids.
• Increased hunger: Cells deprived of glucose for energy can make you feel hungrier than usual.
• Unexplained weight loss: Despite increased hunger, the body may struggle to use glucose for energy, causing weight loss.
• Fatigue and tiredness: Chronic high blood sugar levels can leave you feeling constantly tired and lacking energy.
• Blurred vision: High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the eyes and cause blurred vision.
• Slow-healing wounds: Impaired blood flow due to diabetes can slow down the healing process of cuts and sores.
• Frequent infections: Diabetes can weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to infections.
• Skin problems: Dry, itchy skin and recurring skin infections can be signs of diabetes.

If you experience several of these diabetes symptoms for a while, consult a doctor for diagnosis and proper management.

Diabetes Treatment

While diabetes isn’t curable, well-designed diabetes treatment can control blood sugar and stop complications from developing. To manage diabetes, combine several approaches, including:

• Diet: Eating a healthy, balanced diet that’s low in sugar and refined carbohydrates is essential for managing blood sugar levels.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively and lowers blood sugar levels.
• Medications: Depending on the type and severity of diabetes, medications like oral medications or insulin injections may be needed to manage blood sugar.
• Blood Sugar Monitoring: Regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels at home allows you and your doctor to adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Health Insurance for Diabetes

In India, general treatment for diabetes costs around ₹15,535. Surgical treatments can range from ₹1,75,000 to ₹5,40,000, depending on the type of surgery, city and your health condition. Health insurance for diabetes patients can help manage the financial burden of these treatments.

However, if you already have diabetes before getting health insurance, it will probably be considered a pre-existing condition. This means there might be a waiting period before your insurance covers the treatment for it. You can get special plans specifically for people with diabetes or add a rider to reduce or waive the waiting period.

Health insurance for diabetes covers in-patient hospitalisation, daycare treatments, pre and post-hospitalisation, doctor consultation fees, consumables, medicines, and ambulance charges. They also cover diagnostic tests, including blood sugar monitoring, A1C tests, and other tests to manage diabetes.

The claim process for diabetes treatment is similar to other health insurance claims. You need to submit medical bills and prescriptions to your insurer for reimbursement. Cashless plans allow the insurer to settle the bill directly with the hospital, reducing your upfront costs.

Anyone with diabetes, or at risk of developing it (due to family history, weight, etc.), should look out for any diabetes symptoms and strongly consider health insurance for diabetes. It provides a financial safety net for managing the ongoing costs of treatment and future complications.

Key Takeaways

Diabetes mellitus is a serious but manageable condition. Understand the diabetes symptoms, causes, and treatment to take control and live a healthy life. Also, explore health insurance for diabetes patients for adequate coverage for comprehensive care. Look for features like cashless claims, coverage for medications, and comprehensive hospitalisation benefits. Additionally, platforms like PhonePe simplify the process of finding health insurance that offers comprehensive coverage for diabetes, helping you manage the condition effectively and with peace of mind.