Diabetes occurs when your pancreas is not able to make insulin. If untreated for a long time it can risk your life.
Glucose is an important source of energy for you. Blood cells take glucose from the food and make muscles and tissues for your body. There are many different causes of diabetes that determine what type of diabetes you have. Ultimately this disease exceeds the sugar level in your blood and causes many other diseases. Although diabetes has no cure yet we can only take care of ourselves and stay healthy. People who have diabetes must take care of themselves by losing weight, eating healthy food, and stay active.
Different types of Diabetes
There are three types of diabetes which are given below:
Type 1 Diabetes: It is caused by an autoimmune reaction into the body which stops the process of making insulin. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of people have this type of diabetes around the world. Its symptoms appear quickly rather than other types of diabetes. It is generally diagnosed in teens, children, and adults. If you are suffering from type 1 diabetes then you have to take insulin every day otherwise you are maybe at risk.
Type 2 Diabetes: In this type, your body doesn’t accept insulin properly and your blood sugar level cannot be controlled at normal levels. About 80 to 90 percent of people are suffering from type 2 diabetes around the globe. It usually develops in adults over time and initially symptoms are not clear so you have to check your sugar level. it can be prevented or maintained at a safe level by adopting a healthy lifestyle. You can maintain your sugar level by exercising, eating healthy food, and staying active.
Gestational Diabetes: It usually develops in pregnant women who have never been diagnosed with any type of diabetes. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes then your child is at high risk. It usually goes away after the birth of the baby but there is still a chance that you will be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes later on. There is a chance that your baby will have obesity and develop type 2 diabetes later on in life.
Prediabetes: It is a condition in which you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In this type, your sugar level is higher than normal but not that much to be diagnosed. It raises your risk of developing heart diseases and stroke. You can prevent or at least reverse it by applying for a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program[i].
Symptoms of Diabetes
If you feel any of these signs given below then you should immediately consult your doctor and have your blood sugar checked:
- The excessive urge to urinate especially at night.
- Being thirsty all the time.
- Losing weight without any exercise.
- Feel hungry every time
- Having blurry vision
- Dried skin
- Slow healing of sores
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes: People suffering from type 1 diabetes can also have nausea, frequent vomiting, and pain in their stomach. These symptoms may develop in a few weeks or a month. These symptoms can appear at any age if you are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes: It takes several years to appear the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Most people don’t even notice the symptoms of type 2 diabetes at all. It mostly appears in adults but it is not the case anyone is at the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is very important to know the risk factors of type 2 diabetes because its symptoms are hard to notice. You have to be very careful and visit your doctor more often.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes: Its symptoms usually occur in pregnant women. If you are pregnant then you must check yourself for gestational diabetes after 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Risk Factors of Diabetes
There are some of the risk factors of diabetes given below:
Risk Factors of Type 1 Diabetes: If one of your close family members has type 1 diabetes then you are at risk of developing it too. If you are overweight and couldn’t take care of yourself then you should be aware of the risks of developing type 1 diabetes. In the USA white people are highly likely at risk of developing type 1 diabetes other than African Americans. It is still unknown that how to prevent this type of diabetes.
Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes: There is a high chance for you to develop type 2 diabetes if you have these:
- Prediabetes
- Excessive weight
- The age between 45 to 60 years
- A sibling with type 2 diabetes
Risk Factors of Prediabetes: There is a risk of developing prediabetes if you have one of these:
- Age of 45 years or older than this.
- Someone in your close relatives has type 2 diabetes.
- Not physically active for a long time.
- If you are African American, American Indian, Latino American, or Alaskan.
Risk Factors of Gestational Diabetes: If you are pregnant then you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes if you:
- Had previously been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during the pregnancy.
- Have given birth to a baby of 9 pounds weight.
- Have excessive weight.
- Are older than 25 years.
- Have a close family member who has type 2 diabetes.
- Have a hormonal disorder.
Preventions
It’s very hard to believe that type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented but you can only take care of yourself by having a healthy lifestyle. You have to make sure you follow these things in your life given below to stable any type of diabetes:
- You should eat healthy food no matter what. You should go for low-fat foods and higher in fiber[ii].
- You should keep yourself physically active by exercising and daily walk at least 30 minutes.
- You have to lose your excessive weight by exercising but if you are pregnant then you should be careful. You should consult your health advisor about how to maintain your weight during the pregnancy.
[i] https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.html
[ii] https://www.benefiber.com/fiber-in-your-life/daily-fiber-intake/top-10-high-fiber-foods/