What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes is a group of diseases that affect the body’s ability to use blood sugar (glucose). Diabetes happens when your body isn’t able to take up sugar (glucose) into its cells and use it for energy. The body needs proper blood sugar levels to operate the brain, muscles, and other tissues. When blood sugar levels are out of balance, the body suffers. The primary cause of diabetes differs by type. But, regardless of what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in your blood and too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health problems.

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t produce or use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas ( a gland situated behind and below the stomach) to lower the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.

Types of Diabetes :

There are two primary types of diabetes exist: type 1 and type 2. While type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood and type 2 diabetes generally begins later in life. Both of these conditions cause similar symptoms, Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes may include:

• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Fatigue
• Slowed healing of wounds
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vision disturbances
• Frequent infections – like gums or skin infections and vaginal infections
• Irritability

What is Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas which are responsible for producing insulin. Type 1 is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, though exactly what those factors are is still unclear. Weight is not believed to be a factor in type 1 diabetes.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells become resistant to the action of  insulin, which makes it impossible for the body to produce enough insulin to maintain proper blood sugar levels. In either case, instead of moving into your cells blood sugar builds up in your bloodstream.

Even though it’s believed that genetic and environmental factors are key in the development of type 2 diabetes too. Being overweight is high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but not everybody with type 2 is overweight.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diabetes can diagnose grounded on the patient’s blood sugar levels. A random blood sugar test and/or a glycated hemoglobin test, which measures the patient’s average blood sugar level over the past 3 months. If required, a fasting blood sugar test or an oral glucose tolerance test may be ordered for diagnostics.

Can diabetes be cured?

There is no cure for diabetes and it can be managed to allow patients diagnosed with the disease the ability to live a healthy life. Whether you have type 1 diabetes, or type 2, properly managing the disease is important.

How is diabetes managed?

People who are diagnose with Diabetes, needs to aware of diabetes education along with medication management and also receive guidance on how to improve their diets ( Healthy Foods to Consider if you Have Diabetes ) and how to maintain positive life-style changes. In addition, there are variety of technologies for diabetes management, as well as treatments for other diabetes related complications.