Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a collection of disorders that affect how the body utilizes glucose (blood sugar). Glucose is a vital source of energy for the muscles and tissues’ cells. It is also the primary source of fuel for the brain.

The primary cause of diabetes differs depending on the type. However, diabetes, regardless of the type, can result in an excess of sugar in the blood. Large amounts of sugar in the bloodstream may cause major health issues.

Diabetes Types

Type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes both are chronic diabetic diseases. Diabetes is reversible including prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes develops when blood sugar levels increase. However, the blood sugar levels are not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

Diabetes type 1 can strike at any age. However, it frequently begins in childhood or adolescence. The more prevalent kind of diabetes, type 2, can occur at any age. People aged 40 and above are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children is rising.

Diabetes will result unless actions are made to avoid it.

Gestational diabetes is a condition which occurs during pregnancy. However, it is possible that it will go away after the baby is born.

Symptoms

Symptoms of diabetes are determined by your blood sugar level. Some people may not experience symptoms, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to appear quicker and are more severe.

Type 2 diabetes and type 1diabetes symptoms include:

feeling thirstier than normal

Urinating often

Losing weight without making an effort

Exhaustion and feebleness

Being annoyed or experiencing negative emotions

Having hazy eyesight

Suffering with slow-healing sores

Infections such as gum, skin, and vaginal infections are common

The urine contains ketones which are a result of the breakdown of muscle and fat cells due to inadequate insulin levels.

When should you see a doctor?

If you suspect that you or your kid has diabetes, the sooner an illness is identified, the sooner therapy may begin.

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. Following your diagnosis, you will require close medical monitoring until your blood sugar stabilizes.

Complications of Diabetes

Diabetes causes eye damage (diabetic retinopathy). The blood vessels in the eyes may get damaged. This might lead to blindness.

Foot harm: Foot nerve injury or inadequate blood supply to the feet raises the incidence of various foot problems including diabetic foot.

Skin and mouth issues: Diabetes might make you more prone to skin disorders such as bacterial and fungal infections.

Hearing loss: Diabetes patients are at increased risk of hearing loss.

Alzheimer’s disease: Type 2 diabetes may raise the risk of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Diabetes causes depression. Depression symptoms are frequent in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Complications of gestational diabetes

Most mothers with gestational diabetes have healthy infants. Untreated or uncontrolled blood sugar levels, on the other hand, might have serious consequences.

Gestational diabetes can lead to a variety of complications in your baby, including:

Excessive expansion. Extra glucose can pass through the placenta. Extra glucose causes the baby’s pancreas to produce more insulin. This might result in your baby becoming excessively big. It can cause a difficult birth and, in some cases, need a C-section.

Low blood sugar levels: Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occurs in newborns born to moms who have gestational diabetes. This is due to excessive insulin production.

Type 2 diabetes develops later in life. Babies born to mothers who have gestational diabetes are more likely to develop obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Untreated gestational diabetes can kill a baby before or shortly after birth.

Gestational diabetes can also cause:

Preeclampsia: High blood pressure, an excess of protein in the urine, and swelling in the legs and feet are all symptoms of this illness.

Diabetes occurs throughout pregnancy. If you have gestational diabetes in one pregnancy, you are more likely to have it again in the next.

Prevention

Diabetes type 1 cannot be avoided. However, the healthy lifestyle choices that help treat prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes can also help prevent them:

Consume healthy foods. Choose foods that are lower in fat and calories and rich in fiber. Concentrate on fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Eat a variety of foods to avoid boredom.

Increase your physical activity level. On most days, aim for 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity.

Alternatively, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. Take a daily brisk walk, for example. If you are unable to squeeze in a long workout, divide it into short sessions throughout the day.

Get rid of the extra weight. If you are overweight, decreasing even 7% of your body weight can reduce your chance of developing diabetes.

To maintain a healthy weight, make long-term modifications to your food and activity habits. Remember the advantages of decreasing weight.

Diabetes risk can be reduced by losing 14 pounds (6.4 kilograms).

However, do not attempt to lose weight while pregnant. Consult your provider about how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.

Treatment

Drugs such as Metformin (Glumetza, Fortamet, and other diabetic medications) used orally may help manage type 2 diabetes. However, healthy lifestyle choices are critical. It is recommended to get your blood sugar levels tested annually if you have prediabetes, to make sure that you haven’t developed type 2 diabetes.