Brittle Diabetes: Definition, Symptoms, Treatment, and Causes

Diabetes is a severe condition that affects a large proportion of the population. The illness interferes with the body’s glucose metabolism and regulation, causing blood sugar levels to rise. As a result, a host of issues may occur, threatening the patient’s life.

Diabetes mellitus affects an estimated 9.4% of the American population. Diabetes is classified into numerous types, with type 2 diabetes being the most common. While type 1 and type 2 diabetes are well-known, it is important to note that there are other forms of diabetes.

What exactly is Brittle Diabetes?

Brittle diabetes, also known as unstable diabetes or labile diabetes, is distinguished by substantial and sustained blood sugar fluctuations. This type of diabetes is rare and exclusively affects people with Type 1 diabetes. Consult your doctor about treatment options for brittle diabetes, which may include the use of specialised equipment.

Brittle diabetes is an extremely severe form of diabetes. This condition, also known as labile diabetes, causes fluctuating blood sugar (glucose) levels. These changes may have an adverse effect on your quality of life and may necessitate hospitalisation.

Because of advances in diabetes care, this syndrome is now uncommon. It can, however, occur in people with diabetes. In some cases, it indicates that your blood sugar is not being effectively managed. Sticking to your doctor’s diabetic treatment plan is the greatest way to avoid brittle diabetes.

Brittle Diabetes

Brittle diabetes is a type of diabetes that is very difficult to manage and disrupts daily life significantly. Blood glucose levels (blood sugar) fluctuate considerably in persons with brittle diabetes. As a result of the swings (high blood sugar), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur often.

Brittle diabetes is also known as labile diabetes or unstable diabetes.

What is the distinction between diabetes and unstable diabetes?

Many diabetics can live healthy lives with medication and lifestyle changes. People with brittle diabetes, on the other hand, have a lot of difficulty managing the condition, which can lead to:

• Impair their ability to live a normal life.

could cause hospitalisation or even death as a result of concern and grief.

How widespread is brittle diabetes?

Brittle diabetes is a rare condition. Only about three people out of every 1,000 who have insulin-dependent diabetes are affected.

Who is at risk of developing brittle diabetes?

People with Type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop brittle diabetes (the body does not manufacture insulin in Type 1 diabetes).

 For unknown reasons, it is more common in women in their twenties and thirties.

It is an unavoidable fact of life.

You never know when your blood glucose level will rise from low to high. Hospitalisation is rather common. Working and keeping up with daily chores may be tough.

It has the capacity to kill.

Your doctor will begin treating you by addressing any immediate blood sugar needs. You must keep an eye on your diabetes. New insulin-management devices and treatment options may make regaining some control easier.

You could get:

An insulin pump is a little device that stays connected to you throughout the day to offer constant insulin adjustments.

Pancreatic transplant surgery increases insulin production by replacing your pancreas with that of a deceased donor.

The cause of your brittle diabetes will dictate your doctor’s treatment. Once you’ve decided on a strategy, be certain that you’re providing yourself the best chance of success:

• Exercise.
• Follow your dietary guidelines.
• Take your pills on schedule.

Above all, stay in touch with your diabetes team so that you can receive both medical and psychological care.

Brittle diabetes causes

Addressing the problem or circumstances that are causing your brittle diabetes may help your health care team design therapy alternatives to address the underlying reasons. Your healthcare team can help you determine which factors may be contributing to difficult-to-control blood sugar levels.

If autonomic neuropathy is the underlying cause, your diabetes specialists may be able to advise you on how to correctly regulate insulin levels.

If psychological issues are discovered, your health care practitioner may be able to help you deal with them. Talking therapies and mindfulness-based therapies, for example, have been demonstrated to be useful in treating stress, anxiety, and depression.

Diagnosis of Brittle Diabetes

Brittle diabetes can be difficult to diagnose because any diabetes can become unstable if not properly treated. Your blood sugar levels may fluctuate considerably for a variety of reasons, including not getting your medication or monitoring your glucose levels as frequently as you should.

Eating disorders are a type of eating disorder.

A significant deal of anxiety

Nutrition is difficult to absorb in your intestines.

Gluten intolerance

Gastroparesis is a condition in which the passage of food from the stomach into the intestines is slowed or interrupted.

Insulin resistance

Usually, it’s one or more of these. In many cases, doctors are unsure of the true cause.

Brittle diabetic symptoms

Blood glucose levels in persons with brittle diabetes change unexpectedly and frequently. The fluctuations cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

The following symptoms can be caused by hypoglycemia:

• Dizziness, weakness, or shakiness.
• High heart rate
• Irritation or perplexity.
• Skin tone is light.
• Disruptions in sleep.
• Sweating.
• Pangs of hunger.
• Hyperglycemia causes blurred vision.
• Discomfort (weakness, tiredness).
• Problems with urination (peeing).
• Headache.
• Cuts that are difficult to heal.
• Hunger or thirst
• Diabetes-related ketoacidosis can be caused by uncontrolled hyperglycemia and can result in:
• Dehydration.
• A rapid heartbeat.
• Breathe in a delicious scent
• Breathing problems
• Vomiting.
• Coma.

What is the Treatment for Brittle Diabetes?

Keeping your blood sugar levels in check is the most effective way to manage this illness. Some tools that can help you with this are as follows:

An insulin pump worn beneath the skin

The most essential goal for people with brittle diabetes is to better match the amount of insulin they get to how much they need at any one time. This is where the subcutaneous insulin pump comes in. It is the most successful brittle diabetic treatment.

This small pump is carried in your belt or pocket. The needle is connected to the pump through a thin plastic tubing. The needle is inserted just beneath the surface of your skin. The device is worn 24 hours a day and continuously administers insulin into your bloodstream. It aids in the maintenance of stable insulin levels, which aids in the maintenance of stable glucose levels.

The glucose levels are continually checked.

Typical diabetes care includes checking your blood glucose levels on a regular basis, often numerous times each day. If you have brittle diabetes, this may not be enough to keep your glucose levels under control.

For continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), a sensor is inserted beneath your skin. This sensor continuously monitors the glucose levels in your tissues and can send you a warning if they get too high or too low. This allows you to address your blood sugar issues as soon as feasible.

Speak with your doctor if you believe a CGM system would be advantageous to you.

Other therapeutic options

Brittle diabetes responds well to conservative therapy. Despite therapy, some patients with the illness experience significant blood sugar fluctuations. In rare cases, these people may require a pancreas transplant.

Your pancreas produces insulin in response to glucose in your bloodstream. Insulin instructs your body’s cells to take glucose from your bloodstream and use it as fuel. If your pancreas isn’t working properly, your body won’t be able to properly metabolise glucose. According to studies published in the journal Diabetes Care, pancreas transplants showed a high percentage of success in managing brittle diabetes.

Brittle Diabetes Prevention

Brittle diabetes is a rare disease that is commonly misdiagnosed. Brittle diabetes is difficult to diagnose since the symptoms it causes might be attributed to a range of different conditions.

Fast blood sugar swings have been linked to eating disorders, stress, celiac disease, and other illnesses, for example. A doctor would normally urge the patient to monitor their blood sugar levels closely. Additional checks may also be requested. It will also be necessary to evaluate potential causes. The professional will evaluate and analyse all of the information acquired in order to produce a diagnosis.

The most important aspect of living with brittle diabetes is adhering to the healthcare team’s routine. The patient must take their medication at the exact time every day. Any advise offered must be followed properly and meticulously to minimise the likelihood of the patient experiencing attacks.

Glucose levels should be checked on a daily basis. Some people may be advised to check their blood sugar levels numerous times during the day. As part of diabetic treatment, glucose levels will be measured. 

Patients may also choose to have a continuous glucose monitoring sensor put beneath the skin. It will also be necessary to evaluate potential causes. The professional will evaluate and analyse all of the information acquired in order to produce a diagnosis. The most important aspect of living with brittle diabetes is adhering to the healthcare team’s routine. The patient must take their medication at the exact time every day. Any advise offered must be followed properly and meticulously to minimise the likelihood of the patient experiencing attacks.

Conclusion

Diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes, is a chronic disease that requires continual monitoring and management. This may be stressful and intimidating, but there are tools available to help you. Because brittle diabetes is linked to mental health, consult with a therapist or psychologist to develop a strategy for successfully managing your illness while also treating any underlying stress that may be harming your glucose management.

Brittle diabetes is not fatal on its own, and in most cases, you and your doctor may successfully treat it. Severe blood sugar changes, on the other hand, may necessitate hospitalisation due to the risk of diabetic coma. This illness can also cause thyroid disorders, adrenal gland problems, depression, and weight gain in the long run. 

Brittle diabetes prevention is the most effective way to avoid these problems.