Diabetes Overview
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. It occurs when the blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is too high. Glucose is the bodys main source of energy, and diabetes affects the bodys ability to use it effectively. There are several types of diabetes, with the most common being type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin, while in type 2 diabetes, the body doesnt use insulin properly and cant keep blood sugar at normal levels. Gestational diabetes is another type that develops during pregnancy. Diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease, and nerve damage. It is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation.
Types of Diabetes
- Type 1 Diabetes: Characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. The exact cause is unknown, and there is no known way to prevent it.
- Type 2 Diabetes: The most common type, where the body doesnt use insulin properly and cant keep blood sugar at normal levels. It is usually diagnosed in adults but is increasingly being diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. Risk factors include overweight or obesity and a family history of the disease.
- Gestational Diabetes: Develops during pregnancy and can increase the risk of health problems for both the mother and the baby. It usually goes away after the baby is born, but it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Symptoms and Complications
Symptoms of diabetes may include feeling very thirsty, needing to urinate more often than usual, blurred vision, feeling tired, and losing weight unintentionally. Over time, diabetes can damage blood vessels in the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. It can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, vision loss, kidney failure, and foot ulcers, which may lead to amputation.
Management and Prevention
Managing diabetes involves medication, insulin therapy, and lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and weight management. While autoimmune and genetic forms of diabetes cannot be prevented, steps can be taken to lower the risk of developing prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, including maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight[[4...
