We hear a lot about how diabetes is becoming more prevalent in individuals of all ages, but we don’t always understand what diabetes is. We often associate this illness with excessive sugar consumption, although this isn’t the case.
So, how’s it going? Take a look at this article. We’ll go through what diabetes is and how to recognize it. Because this is a quiet illness, it’s critical to know the diagnosis as soon as possible, so stay tuned!
Types Of Diabetes
Diabetes comes in a variety of forms. As a result, you can’t argue that a diabetic is usually someone who consumes a lot of sweets, since each kind of diabetes has its own reason. Diabetes Mellitus (DM), or diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic condition with numerous causes. What exactly does it imply? In a nutshell, it’s a condition that impairs the metabolism (or “absorption”) of a nutrient and may manifest itself in a variety of ways.
Diabetes develops in this scenario as a result of a shortage of insulin and/or the insulin that does not have the desired effect. Insulin is a hormone generated by the pancreas that inhibits glucose absorption and hence lowers blood sugar levels. When the body doesn’t have enough insulin, it has a hard time “processing” glucose, which leads to diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Type 1 diabetes, which is characterized by a shortage of insulin-producing cells, is one of the kinds of diabetes mellitus. The immune system attacks the cells that make the hormone, and antibodies (defense cells) assault the cells that create the hormone.
Another less frequent cause of damage is the autoimmune process, which accounts for the majority of instances. Insulin injections, which are hormone injections, are required for people with type 1 diabetes.
Other autoimmune illnesses, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, are often associated with diabetes.
Symptoms
- Frequent urination;
- Frequent hunger and thirst;
- Weight loss;
- Weakness and fatigue;
- Mood change;
- Nausea and vomiting.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Insulin resistance, often known as type 2 diabetes, occurs when a person’s body develops resistance to the hormone. It affects roughly 90% of diabetic patients and is more frequent after the age of 40. In some circumstances, the individual generates insulin properly yet continues to have high blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance.
Symptoms
- Frequent infections;
- Blurry vision;
- Difficulty in healing;
- Tingling in the feet;
- Boils
Gestational Diabetes
The aetiology of this diabetes in pregnant women is unknown, however it seems to be linked to a general sensitivity to carbs. It may be of varying degrees of severity and may or may not persist after the kid is delivered, but it is initially detected during pregnancy.
The following are some of the risk factors for this condition:
- Excessive weight gain during pregnancy;
- Short;
- Excessive growth of the fetus;
- Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid);
- Hypertension or preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy;
- Previous fetal/neonatal death cases.
Between the 24th and 28th weeks, a test for gestational diabetes is performed, and if the results are normal but still suspicious, the test should be repeated in a month or around the 32nd week.
Prevention
People who have a family history of DM should have a well-balanced diet, exercise frequently, avoid smoking, keep blood pressure under control, and avoid medicines that may harm the pancreas (as long as they are not necessary).
People with diabetes should be checked often, take their prescriptions, eat a balanced and nutritious diet, engage in physical activity on a regular basis, and keep their blood glucose under control.
Diabetes Control
The first step in managing diabetes is to follow your doctor’s and nutritionist’s recommendations. They will advise you on which meals to consume and which to avoid.
However, certain dietary suggestions are more generic in nature. Is it true that:
- Control the amount of carbohydrates: Not only do sweets provide glucose, but so does pasta in general.
- Combining carbohydrates with fiber, protein and good fats: Carbohydrates are essential for the body since they provide us with energy. Fiber, protein, and healthy fats help the body cope with them more effectively during digestion.
