Diabetes is a disease that can affect people of any age. You have to live with it and there is no cure for it. Diabetes is directly related to the insulin level in the body. Depending on the secretion and absorption of insulin, the level and effect of diabetes will differ. It is a chronic disease and the reasons may be anything from hereditary to consumption of unbalanced diet. Around 171 million people in the world are found to be diabetic.Sugar is an essential factor in the blood that gives energy for the body. This sugar is obtained from the food that we eat. Insulin secreted in the pancreas gland is responsible for absorption of blood glucose by the body cells. When the production of insulin is insufficient, then more sugar will stay in the blood and the cells will starve of fuel. If insulin is produced more, the blood glucose will be consumed more and again cells will get tired wanting fuel for further activities. If any of these occurs, then the person is said to be diabetic.
Types of Diabetes
There are 3 main types of diabetes. To treat them, you must first know what type has affected you.
Gestational diabetes – this starts in the pregnancy and the level of glucose in the blood will be higher. After delivering the baby, this type of diabetes will go away. But even after delivery the mother has to be monitored.
Type 1 diabetes – This is diagnosed in children and young adults. In this type, sufficient insulin will not be produced by the pancreas. Those who suffer from type 1 diabetes have to take insulin for the entire life. Nowadays, insulin injections are common and after taking insulin the person can be very normal.
Type 2 diabetes – this is diagnosed in people at the later ages. Due to insufficient nutrition, the insulin is not secreted up to the required level or the cells don’t absorb insulin. As a result, glucose accumulates in the blood and lead to diabetes.
Symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes are similar for both men and women. There are some cases where people are found to be diabetic even if they don’t have any of these symptoms. Diabetes will show symptoms after the depletion of 80% of insulin producing cells. The typical symptoms include
- Sudden weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive hunger
- Lethargy
- Wounds in the feet
Many people in the world test for diabetes only when they find wounds that are not healed for a long time in their foot.
Treatment
The only treatment for diabetes is to take nutritional balanced diet, insulin tablets and injections. There is no cure and to prolong life after diagnosing diabetes, the patient must take sufficient insulin that is required to burn the sugar that is produced. The diabetic patients must regularly visit the doctor and check for the sugar levels in the blood. Diet control and regular exercises must be followed to control diabetes.
Care for men and women
Since diabetes affects people of all ages and races, we must take proper care so that we burn up extra sugar in the blood. In certain cases, the blood sugar was under control just by controlling the diet. You must take balanced diet that contains carbohydrates, necessary fat, proteins and minerals. Avoid all fried items and all oils. Exercises are a must to avoid diabetes. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always good for health.
When a person is affected by diabetes, he/she is prone to many diseases as their immune system becomes weakened. If it is not treated properly, it may lead to heart diseases and kidney failures. Many people also suffer from eyesight problems and nervous problems. Diabetes is a silent killer but if you know how to fight against it, you can conquer the disease and lead a normal life.
