What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body loses its ability to produce enough insulin or to use it effectively. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas that allows glucose to pass into the body’s cells.
Our food provides the glucose that serves the brain, muscles, and organs to continue functioning. However, when the body cannot transform it into energy, it increases blood glucose.
Maintaining balanced glucose levels is essential for health. If insulin cannot absorb glucose, a mismatch occurs, appearing what we call diabetes.
Types of diabetes
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes is when the body does not produce insulin, or the amount is meager. It occurs when the immune system responsible for fighting infections attacks the cells that produce it.
Therefore, daily insulin injections are necessary to keep blood glucose levels under control.
In addition, it is chronic and the least common of all. It affects approximately 10% of all people with this disease. It is also known as “juvenile diabetes” because it occurs more frequently in children and young people.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is one in which the body, although it produces insulin, cannot transform it effectively because the body is resistant to this hormone.
It is much more frequent than type 1. In addition, it is known as “adult-onset diabetes” since it usually affects people over 40 years of age. However, poor nutrition and childhood obesity are causing more and more children and adolescents to suffer from it.
Symptoms of diabetes to know that we suffer from it
The symptoms of diabetes are usually similar for both types. Plus, they can alert you to possible insulin dysfunction! How to know if you have diabetes? Do not lose attention to the most common symptoms.
- Abnormal thirst and dry mouth.
- Sudden weight loss.
- Frequent urge to urinate, or even involuntary urination.
- Constant hunger.
- Blurry vision.
- Lack of energy or feeling tired.
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
- skin infections
- Slow healing of wounds.
Diabetes in adults
Type 2 (or adult) diabetes is characterized by being hidden. Symptoms are progressive over the years. Many adults are unaware that they suffer from it or are developing it since the signs take time to appear, or they do not even have any apparent symptoms!
Sometimes, a simple blood or urine test is enough to alert that the person has high glucose levels. How long has it been since you had a complete medical check-up? Check how often you should have a medical check-up according to your age to prevent diseases!
Diabetes in children
The symptoms of diabetes in type 1 (or juvenile) usually appear quite suddenly, even in a matter of weeks. If you detect that your child has signs compatible with this disease, go to the pediatrician to obtain a proper diagnosis.
Causes of diabetes
Overweight and sedentary lifestyle
Being overweight is a closely related cause. Specifically, a person with obesity is three times more likely to develop type 2 over the years. The location of fat in the body can also affect the proper functioning of insulin. An excess of fat in the belly produces resistance to insulin to work correctly.
To reduce the risk of suffering from it, adopt measures related to your lifestyle. 90 % of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented with diet and physical activity changes. Fight the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle with these tips!
Genetics
One of the great myths is that it is a hereditary disease. It’s false! What has been confirmed by numerous studies is that specific genes can make a person more likely to suffer from it.
Even if your father or grandfather had diabetes, you do not necessarily become a carrier of the disease, but you do have a high risk of developing it if you do not take care of your lifestyle. The genetic factor plays a more critical role in developing type 2.
In the case of type 1 diabetes, the genetic predisposition is much more remote and has to do mainly with an environmental factor or some autoimmune disease.
Insulin Resistance
Type 2 diabetes usually appears from the body’s resistance to insulin. The liver, fat cells, and muscles do not use insulin properly to transform glucose.
Some hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy also contribute to insulin resistance, especially in late pregnancy!
Diseases
Some diseases directly related to the pancreas, such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or specific injuries, can lead to other types of diabetes.
Specific genetic mutations can also trigger in some types. Cystic fibrosis, for example, secretes excess mucus that causes scarring in the pancreas, preventing it from producing enough insulin.
Hemochromatosis is responsible for the pancreas to store too much iron.
Hormonal diseases can also cause it. People with hyperthyroidism may experience insulin resistance.
How to treat diabetes
The treatment involves eating a balanced diet, exercising, and taking adequate medication to maintain acceptable glucose levels.
For this reason, daily insulin injections are sometimes necessary to keep blood glucose levels under control. Some glucometers measure the amount of glucose in the blood. Please consult your doctor to get a good diagnosis and know how to treat it!
Diabetes diet
Some of the steps you can take include swapping saturated fats like cheese and butter for unsaturated fats. These healthy fats are found in avocados, nuts, olives, and vegetable oils.
Some foods are prohibited for people with diabetes due to their properties. Consult in this video the seven highly discouraged foods for people with family history!
The importance of prevention and control
Your lifestyle will determine the risk of suffering from this pathology or will increase its negative consequences.
On the other hand, physical activity will help prevent diabetes. Opt for aerobic exercises, like swimming and running. Resistance training will help you control blood sugar levels.
- Finally, regular testing will help you keep track of your cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels.
