Diabetes: Everything You Need to Know

Diabetes affects more than 500,000 people in Nepal, and this number will rise to 1,500,000 by 2030. 

WHO

Diabetes mellitus, more commonly known as “diabetes”, is a chronic condition in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels properly. The pancreas produces insulin, which is a hormone that helps to control blood sugar levels. When someone has diabetes, their body can’t make enough insulin or doesn’t react to it normally. This causes high blood sugar levels.

Genetics, lifestyle and environment can be causes of diabetes. Eating an unhealthy diet, being overweight or obese and not exercising enough may play a role in developing diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune response. The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

There are four major types of diabetes explained below:

• Type 1 diabetes: This type is an autoimmune disease, meaning your body attacks itself. In this case, the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are destroyed. Up to 10% of people who have diabetes have Type 1. It’s usually diagnosed in children and young adults (but can develop at any age). People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. This is why it is also called insulin-dependent diabetes.

• Type 2 diabetes: With this type, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or your body’s cells don’t respond normally to the insulin. This is the most common type of diabetes. Up to 95% of people with diabetes have Type 2. It usually occurs in middle-aged and older people. Other common names for Type 2 include adult-onset diabetes and insulin-resistant diabetes.

• Prediabetes: This type is the stage before Type 2 diabetes. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be officially diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

• Gestational diabetes: This type develops in some women during their pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes you’re at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and know how to prevent diabetes. The key indicators of diabetes are excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, weight loss and fatigue, increased thirst, dry mouth, and frequent unexplained infections.

Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. It is among the leading causes of kidney failure. The higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater your risk for complications.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can be treated through certain lifestyle changes and proper medications. The treatment for Type 1 diabetes is the lifelong use of insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be managed by changes in lifestyle, exercise, changes in diet, use of medications, and taking insulin. To reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes, a person should maintain a moderate weight before becoming pregnant. Even small changes can have a huge impact on managing diabetes or preventing it all together—so get to a doctor today and get tested.

A diabetes profile test is available at Crystal Diagnostic. Get diagnosed early and prevent yourself from getting diabetes, “the silent killer”.