We’ve all heard of Diabetes  and its related complications. What at all is Diabetes and why do you have to be concern about it?

Well first and foremost, having firm ideas about things around us especially when it comes to our health is very important. We need to get the right information in order to make the right decision concerning what we eat and how to stay healthy.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which our blood glucose, or blood sugar levels become too high. Glucose comes from the foods we eat. The glucose needs to be distributed into the cells of our bodies to give them energy. But this glucose needs to get into the cells by a hormone called Insulin. Without insulin the glucose stays in the blood. With time,the glucose builds up in the blood causing serious health problem.

diabetes types

There are different types of Diabetes but the common one’s are

Type 1 Diabetes: With type 1 diabetes, our bodies does not make insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes: the more common type, our bodies does not make enough or use insulin well. 

Gestational Diabetes: A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, is caused by the hormonal changes of pregnancy along with genetic and lifestyle factors.

diabetes risk factors

When we talk about risk factors, we are talking about people who are likely to get the disease. Some people are at higher risk than others. Risk factors depends on the type of Diabetes a person has.

Risk factors for type 1 Diabetes includes, children and young adults, although it can appear at any age,a  family history, viral disease,early introduction of animal milk.

Some high risk people for Type 2 Diabetes include,

• A family history of diabetes
• Inactive person
• History of Hypertension
• History of stroke
• Being Over weight
• High cholesterol
• Increasing age
• Bad diet eg. High carbohydrates and fat diet
• Depression
• Race eg. African,African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander

diabetes symptoms

• Increased hunger
• Increased thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vission
• Fatigue
• Sores that doesn’t heals

diabetes causes

what Diabetes type 1

The exact cause is unknown.For some reason, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas

It’s also possible that a virus sets off the immune system attack.

what Diabetes type 2

Type 2 diabetes stems from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors.

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make any insulin or the pancreas makes very little insulin or the body doesn’t normal to insulin

This condition runs in families. Family members share genes that make them more likely to get type 2 diabetes and to be overweight.

diabetes complications

High blood sugar damages organs and tissues throughout your body. The higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater your risk for complications.

Complications associated with diabetes include:

Cardiovascular Disease: Diabetes affects the heart and blood vessels and may cause fatal complications such as coronary artery disease (leading to heart attack) and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in people with diabetes.

Kidney Disease (Diabetic Nephropathy): This is caused by damage to small blood vessels in the kidneys leading to the kidneys becoming less efficient or to fail eventually. 

Eye Disease (Diabetic retinopathy): Most people with diabetes will develop some form of eye disease (retinopathy) causing reduced vision or blindness.

Oral Complications: People with diabetes have an increased risk of inflammation of the gums, If blood glucose is not properly managed. Periodontitis is a major cause of tooth loss and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

diabetes treatment

Doctors treat diabetes with few different medications. Some of these drugs are taken by mouth, while others are available as injections.

Type 1 Diabetes

Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. It replaces the hormone your body isn’t able to produce.

Type 2 Diabetes

Diet and exercise can help some people manage type 2 diabetes. If lifestyle change isn’t enough to lower your blood sugar, you’ll need to take medication.

These drugs lower your blood sugar in a various ways.

diabetes prevention

• Eat healthy
• Cut down carbohydrates,fat and sugary food intake
• Do exercise regularly
• Drink lot of water
• Lose weight if you are obese orea overweight
• Reduce your intake of processed foods
• Eat fiber rich food