Understanding Diabetes: Types, Symptoms and Prevention.

Introduction:

Diabetes is a chronic illness that prevents your body from producing the energy it needs from the food you eat. It can lead to high blood sugar levels because your body either cannot produce enough amounts of insulin or cannot utilize the produced amounts effectively. Insulin is the hormone that your pancreas produces and opens up cells all around your body to glucose from your diet to be used as energy. In this case, because the usage of not sufficient insulin does not allow glucose to be moved into the cells, the glucose in the blood will remain there and, consequently, the level of blood sugar will be high, thus serious health problems will be noticed.

Kinds of Diabetes: 

A.) Type 1 Diabetes:

• Cause: The immune system, mistakenly, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas called beta cells.

• Dependency on insulin: Those with Type 1 diabetes have to receive injections of insulin every day since the body cannot itself manufacture the hormone.

• Age of appearance: It is often diagnosed in young children, teenagers, and early twenties but could be seen in almost any age.

B.) Type 2 Diabetes:

• Cause: Body is not sensitive to insulin, or pancreas cannot secrete enough insulin.

• Risk Factors: Obesity and sedentary lifestyle, family history of diabetes, hypertension, age older than 45 years, ethnicity: African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian.

• Age of Appearance: Traditionally an adult disease, now being identified increasingly at earlier ages as the prevalence of obesity in children has risen.

C.) Gestational Diabetes:

• Cause: Pregnancy causes hormonal levels throughout the body to vary and lowers its responsiveness to insulin.

• Risk Factors: It can affect pregnancy and causes health problems for the child, the mother and child are predisposed to being diagnosed as suffering from Type 2 diabetes over their lifetime.

• Age of Appearance: Women who are older than 25 are at a high risk of developing Gestational Diabetes.

D.) Prediabetes:

• Cause: Glucose level in blood is higher than it should be, yet not high enough to be considered to have Type 2 diabetes.

• Risk Factors: Similar to Type 2 diabetes like obesity, inactivity, and genetic factors.

• Age of Appearance: The prevalence of prediabetes from India were highest in the age group 35-49 years, 6.63% and in males aged 50-54 years, 7.18% prediabetes.

Common Symptoms of Diabetes:

As we all know that diabetes is a chronic disease. To avoid this disease, we have to take many precautions in our daily lifestyle. But first let us know what are its main symptoms. Some basic symptoms have been explained here. 

1. Thirst and Dry Mouth: In most patients, increased thirst and dry mouth are symptoms as the body tries to compensate for the excessive blood sugar.

2. Increased Urination: The kidneys need to work overtime filtering out the extra glucose, which increases restroom use.

3. Unintended Weight Loss: Actually, a person eats normally, he or she can lose weight due to an inability of the body to use glucose for energy.

4. Fatigue and Weakness: High blood sugar can make you feel tired and weak.

5. Blurry Vision: High blood sugar can alter the fluid in your eyes, causing temporary blurry vision. Cuts or bruises are slow to heal.

6. Frequent Infections: Cuts and wounds may take a little longer time to heal, and you could have infections more often including gum, skin, and vaginal infections.

7. Increased Appetite: Your body cannot use insulin well, which leaves you with a constant hunger.

• Other symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes: Unknown loss of weight Feeling nauseated or vomiting.

• Other symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes: Pins and needles in your hands or feet Dark skin blotches are also prevalent and often occur on the neck, armpits or groin.

Prevention of diabetes:

Diabetes generally affects the lifestyle of the patient. Here are some preventions given below which can help us in avoiding diabetes.

I.) Weight Control:

Maintaining a healthy weight is an essential condition. A modest weight loss of 5-7 percent body weight is often sufficient to prevent developing type II diabetes.

II.) Healthy Diet:

• Whole Foods: Focus on whole, minimally processed foods that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.

• Portion Control: Be mindful of portion sizes so you don't consume too much.

• Limit Sugars and Refined Carbs: Avoid sugary drinks and sweets, as well as refined grains that can raise blood sugar quickly.

III.) Stay Physically Active:

• Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (such as brisk walking or swimming) per week and strength training exercises on two or more days a week. Increase physical activity across daily life.

• Be Active as Possible Across Your Daily Life: Taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work or home, gardening or doing some other type of yard work, walking during breaks or lunchtime in office.

IV.) Monitor Blood Sugar Levels:

Check Your Blood Sugar Regularly. Monitoring blood sugar levels can detect potential problems early if you are at risk. Family history, age, and others may make you at risk. Be well-informed.

V.) Hydration:

Drink more water than soda. Keeping yourself hydrated helps to regulate your blood sugar.

VI.) No Tobacco Smoke:

Tobacco consumption and smoking are harmful for the heart. This increases the risk of diabetes. Therefore, if you do not consume it, you will be safe.

VII.) Alcohol Consumption Limit:

If you drink, do so in moderation, up to one drink per day for women, two for men. More alcohol can cause blood sugar fluctuations.

VIII.) Manage Stress:

Practice stress-reducing techniques, such as yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises, to help keep those blood sugars healthy.

IX.) Get Adequate Sleep:

Aim at getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep habits can be associated with insulin resistance and glucose metabolism.

X.) Regular Health Check-Ups:

Regular check-ups in respect of blood pressure and cholesterol levels allow for more comprehensive care for the overall health scenario and a lower risk of diabetes development.

All these preventive measures are going to decrease the risk of becoming a victim of diabetes and enhance the health and wellbeing. If you have special concerns or heredity cases about diabetes, it would be better that you consult with a healthcare provider.

ALSO READ: 10 Ways to Boost Your Immune System Naturally.