Diabetes

Diabetes happens when your body isn't able to take up sugar (glucose) into its cells and use it for energy. This results in a build up of extra sugar in your bloodstream.

Causes of Diabetes #

Causes of Type 1 diabetes #

• This is an immune system disease.

• Your body attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.

• Without insulin to allow glucose to enter your cells, glucose builds up in your bloodstream.

• Genes may also play a role in some patients.

• Also, a virus may trigger the immune system attack.

Cause of Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes #

• Your body’s cells don’t allow insulin to work as it should to let glucose into its cells.
• Your body’s cells have become resistant to insulin.
• Your pancreas can’t keep up and make enough insulin to overcome this resistance.
• Glucose levels rise in your bloodstream.

Cause of Gestational diabetes #

• Hormones produced by the placenta during your pregnancy make your body’s cells more resistant to insulin.

• Your pancreas can’t make enough insulin to overcome this resistance.

• Too much glucose remains in your bloodstream.

Types of Diabetes #

Type 1 diabetes #

• This type is an autoimmune disease, meaning your body attacks itself.

• In this case, the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are destroyed. Up to 10% of people who have diabetes have Type 1.

• It’s usually diagnosed in children and young adults (but can develop at any age).

• It was once better known as juvenile diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day.

• This is why it is also called insulin-dependent diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes #

• With this type, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or your body’s cells don’t respond normally to the insulin.

• This is the most common type of diabetes.

• Up to 95% of people with diabetes have Type 2.

• It usually occurs in middle-aged and older people.

• Other common names for Type 2 include adult-onset diabetes and insulin-resistant diabetes.

• Your parents or grandparents may have called it having a touch of sugar.

Prediabetes #

• This type is the stage before Type 2 diabetes.

• Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be officially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes #

• This type develops in some women during their pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy.

• However, if you have gestational diabetes you’re at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Symptoms of Diabetes #

• Increased thirst.

• Weak, tired feeling.

• Blurred vision.

• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.

• Slow-healing sores or cuts.

• Unplanned weight loss.

• Frequent urination.

• Frequent unexplained infections.

• Dry mouth.

Diagnosis of Diabetes #

Fasting plasma glucose test #

This test is best done in the morning after an eight hour fast (nothing to eat or drink except sips of water).

Random plasma glucose test #

This test can be done any time without the need to fast.

A1c test #

• This test, also called HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin test, provides your average blood glucose level over the past two to three months.

• This test measures the amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen.

• You don’t need to fast before this test.

Oral glucose tolerance test #

In this test, blood glucose level is first measured after an overnight fast. Then you drink a sugary drink. Your blood glucose level is then checked at hours one, two and three.

Treatment of Diabetes #

Diabetes affects your whole body.

To best manage diabetes, you’ll need to take steps to keep your risk factors under control and within the normal range, including the following

• Keep your blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible by following a diet plan, taking prescribed medication and increasing your activity level.

• Maintain your blood cholesterol (HDL and LDL levels) and triglyceride levels as near the normal ranges as possible.

• Control your blood pressure. Your blood pressure should not be over 140/90 mmHg.