The Basics of Diabetes

Details: Category: Region 9; Published: 12 October 2022

Basics of diabetes According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). More than 122 million Americans are living with diabetes (37.3 million) or prediabetes (96 million). There are numerous varieties of diabetes, which is also a difficult medical condition known as diabetes mellitus. We'll go over everything you need to know in this section. Describe diabetes. The Diabetes Organization UK states that diabetes is a dangerous condition marked by an elevated blood glucose level. When your body doesn't create enough insulin or when the insulin it does make is ineffective, it may result in this. or when your body is completely unable to create any insulin.

According to Diabetes Organization UK, type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the two primary subtypes. Type 1 diabetes prevents the body from producing any insulin at all. It is slightly different if you have type 2 diabetes. You either can't create enough insulin or it can't function properly. Type 1 diabetes affects between 5–10% of those who have the disease. Type 1 diabetes symptoms frequently appear suddenly. Typically, it is discovered in kids, teenagers, and young adults. You must take insulin every day to stay alive if you have type 1 diabetes. Your body struggles to properly utilize insulin in type 2 diabetes, making it difficult to maintain normal blood sugar levels. The majority of diabetics (90–95%) are type 2. It takes years to develop, and adults are typically diagnosed with it (but more and more in children, teens, and young adults). If you are at risk, it is crucial to have your blood sugar tested because you might not exhibit any symptoms. Although these are two distinct disorders, both are very dangerous. Gestational diabetes is another form of diabetes that some women may go on to develop while carrying a child. Glucose cannot enter your cells correctly in all types of diabetes, which causes it to start accumulating in your blood. Additionally, having too much glucose in your blood can lead to a variety of issues. It first causes symptoms of diabetes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends scheduling a blood sugar test with your doctor if you show any of the following signs of diabetes:

Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night
Are very thirsty
Lose weight without trying
Are very hungry
Have blurry vision
Have numb or tingling hands or feet
Feel very tired
Have very dry skin
Have sores that heal slowly
Have more infections than usual

One in five of the more than 37 million Americans who have diabetes are unaware of their condition. Over 96 million US people, or over a third of the population, have prediabetes, and more than 80% of them are unaware of it. In the US, diabetes is the seventh largest cause of death (and may be underreported). 90% to 95% of all cases of diabetes that have been diagnosed are type 2; type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5% to 10% of occurrences. As the American population has gotten older and more overweight or obese over the past 20 years, the number of adults with diabetes has more than doubled.

Diabetes symptoms might be so subtle that they are first difficult to identify. Discover the symptoms that call for a visit to the doctor. Your likelihood of acquiring diabetes can be influenced by your environment, family history, and pre-existing medical issues. Although diabetes can cause major medical issues, you can manage the disease with medication and a change in lifestyle. The kind of diabetes you have and its underlying cause will determine the course of therapy your doctor will advise. Some forms of diabetes, such as type 1, are brought on by external sources. Others, like type 2, can be avoided by improving dietary habits, upping physical activity, and decreasing weight. With your doctor, go over the dangers of diabetes. The CDC highly suggests testing your blood sugar if you're at risk.

ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND

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