Know All About Diabetes!

The food we eat contains energy which is stored as glucose in the body. This glucose is then converted into back into energy with the help of a hormone called insulin. A lack of insulin in the body or an inability to use the insulin is known as diabetes. There are two types of diabetes mellitus; type 1 and type 2. These diseases cannot be cured but with medication, correct nutrition and weight management, they can be controlled so as to not affect your quality of life.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition and usually, begins in childhood. This is an autoimmune condition and makes the pancreas stop producing insulin. Some probable causes of type 1 diabetes are:

1. Family history of diabetes

2. Pancreatic diseases

3. Other infections and diseases that can affect the pancreas.

Between the two, type 2 diabetes is more common. Type 2 diabetes is also known as insulin resistance and can affect a person at any stage in life. However, it is more common amongst men and women above the age of 45. Ethnicity also plays an important role here with African Americans, Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanic people being more vulnerable to this disease. In this case, the body does produce insulin but either this amount is insufficient or the body is resistant to the insulin. Some factors that can trigger this condition are:

1. Obesity

2. High blood pressure

3. Sedentary lifestyle

4. Polycystic ovary syndrome

5. Family history of diabetes

6. Low levels of good cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides

7. Presence of cells that are resistant to insulin

8. Prediabetes or glucose intolerance

The most common symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are:

1. Increased urination

2. Excessive thirst and increased appetite

3. Weight loss

4. Fatigue

5. Wounds that are slow to heal

6. Yeast infections

7. Numbness and tingling sensations in the toes

8. Dry skin

9. Blurred vision

10. Nausea and vomiting

Another common type of diabetes is known as gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women. It is caused by the over or under production of insulin by the placenta. Gestational diabetes can affect the health and growth of the baby is not treated in time. This condition usually resolves itself after the baby is delivered but it can put the mother at an increased risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes. Some factors that can trigger this condition are:

1. Obesity

2. Glucose intolerance

3. Family history of diabetes

4. Pregnancy after the age of 30