What is Lean Diabetes?

April 8, 2023

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels. In India, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes account for 61% of deaths. In Chhattisgarh, cases of lean diabetes is seen among tribal communities. Lean diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects individuals who have a low BMI and are often impoverished and malnourished.

Symptoms and Consequences

Diabetes, regardless of phenotype, can have severe long-term consequences. Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, foot infections, and cardiovascular diseases. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that is associated with diabetes. Patients may experience a tingling sensation and pain in their feet, which can progress to complete loss of sensation and severe foot infections.

Treatment

The treatment for diabetes involves regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, a healthy diet, exercise, and medication. However, patients with lean diabetes may require a different approach due to their lower BMI and malnourished state.

Difference between Type 2 and Lean Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, abnormal glucose output from the liver, and a lack of profound deficiency of insulin. In contrast, lean diabetes does not have any of these characteristics. The underlying mechanisms of lean diabetes are not well understood, but it is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

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