What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body breaks down sugar and the amount of sugar in the blood. It can lead to serious health problems if it's not managed properly, the consequences can include damage to your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves, as well as damage to your organs and tissues. Diabetes is also called diabetes mellitus or just diabetes.

Types of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. When you are affected with type-1 diabetes, insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are destroyed. Approximately 10% of diabetics have Type 1. This condition most commonly affects children and young adults, but it can also occur at any age. The treatment of Type 1 diabetes requires daily injections of insulin so, type-1 diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes.
 

Type 2 diabetes: 

The most common type of diabetes is called Type-2 Diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs when the body is not producing enough insulin or when the cells are not responding to insulin normally. People in their middle and older years are more likely to develop this condition. Diabetics with type 2 are also known as insulin-resistant diabetics.
 

Prediabetes: 

Prediabetes occurs when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to get diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. As a part of its name, "pre" is added, meaning a condition prior to type 2 diabetes.
 

Gestational diabetes: 

During pregnancy, women can develop gestational diabetes. Usually, gestational diabetes resolves after pregnancy. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life is higher if you have gestational diabetes.

Risk factors:

Type-1 Diabetes:

• Having a family history

• Infection, tumor, surgery of the pancreas.

• Physical stress

• Illnesses

Type-2 Diabetes:

• Family history 

• Overweight.

• Hypertension.

• Physically inactive.

• If you are 45 or older.

• Gestational diabetes history

• A polycystic ovary syndrome patient.

• Stroke or heart disease history.

• Smoking habit.

Prediabetes:

• Family history 

• Overweight.

• If you are 45 or older.

• A polycystic ovary syndrome patient.

• Physically inactive.

Gestational diabetes:

• Family history of Type 2 diabetes.

• Being overweight before your pregnancy.

• Multiple pregnancies

• Increased maternal age

• A polycystic ovary syndrome patient.
  High blood pressure

Symptoms of Diabetes:

• Frequent urination

• Increased Thrust

• Hunger

• Nausea

• Tingling in hands

• Weakness Blurred Vision

• Weight loss

• Slow healing of small injuries

• Extreme exhaustion

Expert’s Say:

The best way to prevent diabetes is to consult with your doctor as soon as possible and make sure you're diagnosed. But, there is no way to prevent Type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed with insulin, diet, and exercise. Consult your healthcare provider if you or your child or adolescent develop symptoms of diabetes. Keeping your blood sugar levels under control will increase your chances of living a long and healthy life.

Check out our other blog content for much more information on diabetes.