What is Diabetes?
Referred to in medical terminology as Diabetes Mellitus, this condition occurs in individuals whose bodies produce minimal amounts of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is produced in the pancreas and works to help your cells convert the glucose or sugar that is within your body into energy which you can then use to perform your day to day activities. In some cases, insulin production stops completely. With both scenarios, the end result is that the absence of sufficient insulin results in the glucose in your blood stream being incapable on converting into energy. Individuals with high blood glucose levels are diabetic.
What are the different kinds of Diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes: As explained above, Diabetes is caused by the lack of a hormone called Insulin. With no means of converting the glucose in their blood streams into energy, the bodies of people with Type 1 Diabetes start burning fats to create the same energy. Burning of these fats is not always safe and there are quite a few dangerous chemicals that can be introduced into the blood stream in the process. The only way people with Type 1 Diabetes can counter these chemicals is by taking up to four insulation injections every day. This is a lifelong process and stopping the insulin injections can be fatal.
Type 2 Diabetes: The lesser of two evils, Type 2 Diabetes can be managed by most people with regular exercise and sensible eating habits. As people with the condition get older, they may be prescribed tablets or insulin injections as well. However, if treated on time and treated right, Type 2 Diabetes can be easy to live with and not result in as many complications as Type 1 might bring with it.
Gestational Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is a condition that occurs in pregnant women whose bodies are unable to generate sufficient insulin. This condition can be treated with insulin injections, increased physical activity and healthy eating. If not treated right and treated on time, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus can result in miscarriages, stillbirths and so on.
What causes Diabetes?
While are there are no concrete answers when it comes to what causes Diabetes, there are certain elements that have been proven over time to play a major role in whether or not an individual is prone to Diabetes.
- Genetics or having a family history of diabetes automatically increases the chances of being prone to Diabetes.
- Being older (i.e.) over 50 increases risk.
- Being overweight can also play a role.
- Having high blood pressure automatically increases the risk factor.
- If you have had gestational diabetes mellitus at some point.
What are the symptoms of Diabetes?
There are a variety of symptoms and reactions that diabetes causes. Bear in mind that a lot of these symptoms and reactions are quite generic and could be occurring as a result of various other factors. That said, listed below are some if the main physical symptoms diabetes causes.
- Dizzy Spells
- Blurred Vision
- Wounds that take longer than normal to heal
- Weight loss
- Mood swings and headaches
- Lethargy
- Constant hunger / thirst
Are you at risk?
The best way to answer this question is by getting you to answer a few of your own.
- Does your family have a history of diabetes?
- Are you over forty?
- Are you overweight?
- Do you exercise or have some form of regular physical activity?
- Do you have healthy eating habits?
Your answers to these questions could help you decide whether or not you are at risk. Family history, eating habits and age, among other things are major determinants of risk. They also provide you with vital clues as to what you can do to minimise risk.
What you can do to minimise your risk?
Eat healthy, exercise regularly and monitor your blood glucose levels every once in a while.
Managing diabetes can be easy, provided you do the right things at the right times. There are innumerable Australians living normal, healthy and happy lives as you read this while managing diabetes at the same time.
People with Diabetes need to also pay attention to their intake of so-called sugar free foods. When choosing or buying sugar free foods, it is imperative that you read the label and take into account the carbohydrate levels on the label as well before purchasing the product.
