DIABETES
Diabetes is a chronic condition that
affects millions of people in the world today. Diabetes prevents body from turning food to energy. Instead glucose
stays in the bloodstream and if left untreated it can result in a range of complications.
There are three types of Diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes is usually found in young children and
teenagers, but can occur also later in life. This type is also known as Juvenile Diabetes. As the glucose in the
blood can’t converted into energy and absorbed by the cells, it builds up to cause high blood sugar. Left untreated,
high blood sugar cause serious long-term health problems.
The normal treatment for people with this type is daily injections
of insulin which keeps the blood sugar level within normal ranges.
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form diabetes, also called mature onset diabetes. With
this type the body may produce insulin but not enough to convert most of glucose to energy. Consequently glucose builds
up in the bloodstream instead of going to the cells. This type of diabetes usually appears later in life, often after
the age 40 years. This type often develops slowly therefore many people may not recognise the symptoms and may have
diabetes with without knowing it.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is only suffered by pregnant women. In this
type woman’s blood sugar is higher than normal because of other hormones produced during pregnancy. This type
usually appears during the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy and in most cases disappears after the baby
is born.
Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because
many of its symptoms seem harmless. Some of the symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Blurry vision
Complications
People with diabetes are more likely
to have some kinds of problems and some of these diabetes complications include nerve damage Neuropathy that can cause
problems in legs as well as other systems in the body. Damage to the eyes, medically known as Retinopathy.
Kidney disease, medically known as Nephropathy and Heart disease which is more common in people with diabetes.
There are other complications such
as Skin complications, Foot complications and mouth-related complications.
Things that can put people at risk of diabetes include:
- Age
– being older than 45
- Overweight
or obesity
- Family
history
- Race
/ ethnicity
- High
blood pressure
- High
cholesterol
- Inactivity
- History
of heart disease or stoke
There is no cure for diabetes at
this time but many people with diabetes live healthy and full lives by following their doctor’s instructions and eating
right. Maintain a healthy weight and eat healthy. Eat lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetable. Choose
foods of low fat and cholesterol. Limit salt intake and alcohol as well. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
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