Diabetes prediction using machine learning

Diabetes is a chronic medical disorder signified by high blood sugar levels. Diabetes has a long history, and our understanding and treatment of disease have changed dramatically over time.

Here is a brief history of diabetes.

Ancient Egypt: Diabetes symptoms were initially described in ancient Egypt around 1550 BCE. It represented a condition known as “too much emptying of the urine.”

Ancient India: Diabetes was first discovered and classified by Indian physicians as madhumeha (meaning “honey urine”) and vridhameha (meaning “large urine”). They also noticed that diabetics had a sweet taste in their urine.

Ancient Greece and Rome: In the 2nd century AD, Greek physician Aretaeus of Cappadocia described the disease as “diabetes”, which means “to pass through” in Greek, referring to the excessive urine output. In the 1st century AD, Roman physician Celsus recommended a diet low in carbohydrates and fibre for treating diabetes.

Middle Ages: During this time, there was little progress in understanding diabetes. The sweet taste in the urine still identified it, which was thought to be caused by too much food and drink.

18th and 19th centuries: In 1776, English physician Matthew Dobson discovered that sugar was present in the urine of people with diabetes. In 1889, German physician Oskar Minkowski found that removing the pancreas from a dog caused the dog to develop diabetes. In 1869, Paul Langerhans identified the clusters of cells within the pancreas that produce insulin, which was later discovered to be the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar.

20th century: In 1921, Canadian scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin, which became the first effective treatment for diabetes. In 1959, the oral medication tolbutamide was approved for diabetes treatment. In 1982, the first biosynthetic human insulin was produced. In the late 1990s, the first oral medication for type 2 diabetes, metformin, was introduced.

21st century: Diabetes continues to be a significant health problem worldwide, and research in genetics, cell biology, and technology are advancing the understanding and treatment of diabetes. In 2020, the first “artificial pancreas” system was approved for use in people with type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes is now recognized as a complex condition that requires regular treatment to avoid long-term problems.

There are two forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. 

Type 1 diabetes, which usually appears in childhood or adolescence, is an autoimmune illness in which the immune system targets and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. 

Type 2 diabetes, which is more frequent and usually appears in adulthood, happens when the body becomes insulin resistant or does not create enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

Other types of diabetes include gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, and uncommon genetic variants of diabetes.

Diabetes can cause a variety of health consequences, including heart disease, renal disease, nerve damage, and blindness. Treatment typically involves managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, medication, and insulin therapy.

Prevention efforts for type 2 diabetes include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and following a healthy diet. Early diagnosis and effective management are critical for preventing long-term complications and improving outcomes for people with diabetes.