What is diabetes

What is diabetes

 Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, that acts like a key to let glucose from the food we eat pass from the blood stream into the cells in the body to produce energy. All carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose in the blood. Insulin helps glucose get into the cells. 

Not being able to produce insulin or use it effectively leads to raised glucose levels in the blood (known as hyperglycaemia). Over the long-term high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues.

Types of diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes 

1.   Type 1 diabetes

2.   Type 2 diabetes

3.  Gestational diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn't make insulin or makes very little insulin. Insulin helps blood sugar enter the cells in your body for use as energy. Without insulin, blood sugar can't get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is an impairment in the way the body regulates and uses sugar (glucose) as a fuel. This long-term (chronic) condition results in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy in women who don't already have diabetes. Every year, 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes. Managing gestational diabetes will help make sure you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Diabetes symptoms

If you have any of the following diabetes symptoms, see your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested.

1.  Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night

2.  Are very thirsty

3.  Lose weight without trying

4.  Are very hungry

5.  Have blurry vision

6.  Have numb or tingling hands or feet

7.  Feel very tired

8.  Have very dry skin

9.  Have sores that heal slowly

10.  Have more infections than usual

Type 1 diabetes may also have nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains. Type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months and can be severe. Type 1 diabetes usually starts when you’re a child, teen, or young adult but can happen at any age.

Type 2 diabetes symptoms often take several years to develop. Some people don’t notice any symptoms at all. Type 2 diabetes usually starts when you’re an adult, though more and more children an teen are developing it. Because symptoms are hard to spot, it’s important to know the risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Make sure to visit your doctor if you have any of them.

Gestational diabetes(diabetes during pregnancy) usually doesn’t have any symptoms. If you’re pregnant, your doctor should test you for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If needed, you can make changes to protect your health and your baby’s health.

Causes of diabetes

There are several different reasons why someone may develop diabetes. The cause of diabetes depends on your genes, family history, ethnic background, and other ...