INTRODUCTION The moment we hear someone we know just diagnosed with PCOD, it’s a gut-wrenching feeling. It’s something you wish your loved ones never have to go through. Unfortunately, as I have noticed this trend is only climbing & affecting more younger populations with each passing day. All this got me thinking. What is a PCOD? How bad is it? Is there a way to prevent it? Or are we all resigned to the fate of rapidly increasing such disorders? So many questions to answer, so I am sharing my research and I hope it will add some value to your lives.   **This is not a medically accurate article. If you are experiencing any symptoms contact your doctor immediately.   What is diabetes? metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat (dyslipidemia), and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. i.e having a blood glucose level of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more after an overnight fast (not eating anything).  Normally, the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) releases insulin to help the body store and use the sugar and fat from the food we eat. Diabetes occurs when one of the following occurs: When the pancreas does not produce any insulin When the pancreas produces very little insulin When the body does not respond appropriately to insulin, a condition called “insulin resistance” Diabetes is a lifelong disease. Approximately 18.2 million Americans have the disease and almost one-third (or approximately 5.2 million) are unaware that they have it. An additional 41 million people have pre-diabetes. As yet, there is no cure. People with diabetes need to manage their disease to stay healthy. TYPES OF DIABETES    Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It used to be called juvenile-onset diabetes because it often begins in childhood. It is an autoimmune condition. It happens when the body attacks the pancreas with antibodies. The organ is damaged and doesn’t make insulin. Genes might cause this type of diabetes. It could also happen because of problems with cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Many of the health problems that can come with type 1 happen because of damage to tiny blood vessels In the eyes (called diabetic retinopathy),  Nerves (diabetic neuropathy), and  Kidneys (diabetic nephropathy). Also a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes used to be called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes. But it’s become more common in children and teens over the past 20 years, largely because more young people are overweight or obese. About 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.  It involves a more insidious onset where an imbalance between insulin levels and insulin sensitivity (Insulin resistance) causes a functional deficit of insulin. The pancreas usually creates some insulin. But either it’s not enough or the body doesn’t use it as it should.  It is often milder than type 1. But it can still cause major health complications like type 1. People who are obese — more than 20% over their target body weight for their height — have an especially high risk of type 2 diabetes and the health problems that can follow. Obesity and an inactive lifestyle often cause insulin resistance. Although not everyone with type 2 diabetes is overweight. These things are responsible for about 90% to 95% of diabetes cases in the United States. The Role of Pancreas in Diabetes After eating, food travels to the stomach and small intestines, where it’s broken down into nutrients that include glucose. The nutrients are absorbed and distributed via the bloodstream. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach that performs an essential role in the digestion process. It creates enzymes that break down the fat, starches, and sugar in the food. It also contains: Beta cells  Alpha cells.  Beta cells produce Insulin hormone: When we eat food, glucose is absorbed from our gut into the bloodstream, raising blood glucose levels. This rise in blood glucose causes insulin to be released from these cells so glucose can move inside the cells and be used. As glucose moves inside the cells, the amount of glucose in the bloodstream returns to normal and insulin release slows down. Alpha cells release Glucagon: It is released in response to a drop in blood sugar, prolonged fasting, exercise, and protein-rich meals. Beta and alpha cells are continually changing their levels of hormone secretions based on the glucose environment. Without the balance between insulin and glucagon, the glucose levels become inappropriately skewed. People with diabetes either don’t make insulin or their body’s cells are resistant to insulin (Insulin resistance), leading to high levels of sugar circulating in the blood, called simply high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Insulin role The function of insulin is to help transform glucose into energy and distribute it throughout your body, including the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Without insulin, cells are starved for energy and must seek an alternative source. This can lead to life-threatening complications. It is a key player in developing type 2 diabetes. Here are the high points: The food you eat is broken down into blood sugar. Blood sugar enters your bloodstream, which signals the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells so it can be used for energy. Insulin also signals the liver to store blood sugar for later use. Blood sugar enters cells, and levels in the bloodstream decrease, signaling insulin to decrease too. Lower insulin levels alert the liver to release stored blood sugar so energy is always available, even if you haven’t eaten for a while. The major effects of insulin on muscle and adipose tissue are:  Carbohydrate metabolism:  It increases the rate of glucose transport across the cell membrane, (b) it increases the rate of glycolysis by increasing hexokinase and 6-phosphofructokinase activity, and (c) it stimulates the rate of glycogen synthesis and decreases the rate of glycogen breakdown. (2)

INTRODUCTION The moment we hear someone we know just diagnosed with PCOD, it’s a gut-wrenching feeling. It’s something you wish your loved ones never have to go through. Unfortunately, as I have noticed this trend is only climbing & affecting more younger populations with each passing day. All this got me thinking. What is a PCOD? How bad is it? Is there a way to prevent it? Or are we all resigned to the fate of rapidly increasing such disorders? So many questions to answer, so I am sharing my research and I hope it will add some value to your lives.   **This is not a medically accurate article. If you are experiencing any symptoms contact your doctor immediately. WHAT IS PCOS / PCOD Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic disorders in premenopausal/childbearing-age women. Heterogeneous by nature, PCOS is defined by a combination of signs and symptoms of androgen excess and ovarian dysfunction in the absence of other specific diagnoses. It causes a woman’s ovaries (the reproductive organs that produce and release eggs) to create excess male hormones leading to reproductive hormonal imbalance. As a result, people with PCOS often have erratic menstrual cycles, missed periods, and unpredictable ovulation. Small cysts may develop on ovaries (fluid-filled sacs) due to a lack of ovulation (anovulation). However, despite the name “polycystic,” it is not compulsory to have cysts on ovaries to have PCOS. PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. It can also increase the risk of other health conditions. Healthcare providers can treat PCOS based on symptoms.   COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS Who can get PCOS? A woman can get PCOS at any time after puberty. Most women are diagnosed in their 20s or 30s when they are trying to get pregnant. Excess weight Obesity or any family history of PCOS increases the chance of getting PCOS. How common is PCOS? PCOS is very common — up to 15% of women of reproductive age have it. Can I have PCOS but not have any symptoms? Yes, it’s possible to have PCOS and not have any symptoms. Many women don’t even realize they have the condition until they have trouble getting pregnant or are gaining weight for unknown reasons. It’s also possible to have mild PCOS, where the symptoms are not severe enough to notice. Can I prevent PCOS or its effects? There is no proven way to prevent PCOS, but you can take small steps to reduce your symptoms. For example, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and managing your weight can help you avoid the effects of PCOS. Does polycystic ovarian syndrome ever go away? The hormone changes caused by menopause may make PCOS go away, but not always. Sometimes the imbalance of hormones continues into menopause, meaning hormonal imbalance does not change with age. If symptoms are bothering or affecting the quality of life, then the healthcare provider can recommend symptomatic treatment. CAUSES: The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Several factors also play a role in causing PCOS/PCOD: Hormonal etiology Genetic etiology Environmental etiology Hormonal etiology Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance that disrupts the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and possibly, conception. These hormones are like an intricate web and the function of the female reproductive system relies heavily on its balance. The hormones that play a role in PCOS are: High levels of Androgens (like testosterone and androstenedione): They’re often called male hormones, but women have them too. Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of androgens. High androgen levels can lead to: Acne Excessive hair growth Weight gain Problems with ovulation can also cause small cysts in ovaries. Causes for excess androgen production: Genes  Insulin Resistance Inflammation    Insulin resistance:  Insulin is a hormone that the pancreas produces. It controls the way the body processes glucose (sugar) and uses it for energy. Insulin resistance means the body doesn’t process insulin correctly, leading to high glucose levels in the blood. When cells can’t use insulin properly its demand increases and more insulin is produced to compensate. Increased insulin levels cause the ovaries to make and release male hormones (androgens). This, in turn, suppresses ovulation and contributes to other symptoms of PCOS. Not all individuals with insulin resistance have elevated glucose or diabetes, but insulin resistance can lead to diabetes. Elevated Luteinizing hormone (LH). Elevated Gonadotropin–releasing hormone (GnRH) Low Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). High levels of Testosterone and Progesterone. Genetic etiology  Family history of PCOS is relatively common; however, familial links to PCOS are unclear. A lack of phenotypic information prevents a formal segregation analysis. Nonetheless, the current literature suggests that the clustering of PCOS in families resembles an autosomal dominant pattern. Environmental etiology PCOS is an emerging health problem during adolescence therefore promotion of healthy lifestyles and early interventions are required to prevent future morbidities including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease.  Can be exacerbated by: Poor dietary choices. Physical inactivity. Infectious agents and toxins may also play a role. PCOS signs and symptoms are typically more severe with obesity. The reproductive and metabolic features of PCOS are sometimes reversible with lifestyle modifications such as weight loss and exercise. Being overweight also contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation indicated by high blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells. SYMPTOMS: PCOS is a syndrome disease defined by a group of signs (physical findings) and symptoms (patient complaints). Symptoms can vary from woman to woman. Some women start seeing symptoms around the time of their first period. Others only discover they have PCOS after they’ve gained a lot of weight or they’ve had trouble getting pregnant. The most common symptoms of PCOS include: Irregular periods: Abnormal menstruation involves missing periods or not having a period at all. It may also involve heavy bleeding during periods. Abnormal hair growth: Excess facial hair and heavy hair growth on the arms, chest and abdomen (hirsutism). This affects up to 70% of women