Around 200 million people all over the world are said to be affected by the disease, diabetes. This is a chronic health condition in which the body fails to break down sugars into simple molecules and provide energy that is needed by the body. One of the bad things about diabetes is that it cannot be cured. The good thing is that there are a lot of things that people can do to keep their blood sugar levels under control, thereby reducing the risk of dire consequences which usually accompany the disease.
Causes
The major cause of diabetes is inadequate insulin function in the body. It can happen because of an autoimmune disease which destroys insulin producing beta cells or because of a condition called insulin resistance in which cells in the body develop resistance towards insulin. Apart from these pathological factors, other causes of diabetes are obesity, hormonal imbalance such as PCOS, certain kinds of medication, diet, sedentary lifestyle and hereditary factors. It has also been found that environmental factors and stress can trigger diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
There are mainly three kinds of diabetes - Type I, Type II and Gestational. Type I is caused due to the autoimmune disorder. Type II is caused at later stage in life due to inadequate insulin production or insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes is caused in pregnant women. The condition comes under control after child birth.
Diagnosis
Diabetes is diagnosed with three different types of tests. Fasting Blood Sugar test is done after not eating for at least eight hours. Two hour postprandial blood sugar is done two hours after meals and random blood sugar test is done at any time of the day. The average of values gives the right blood sugar level in the blood because sugar level in the blood is the lowest in the mornings and highest after meals.
Complications
Diabetes can cause many health complications that include kidney failure, strokes, heart attacks, nerve damage and eye sight impairment, among others. In order to avoid such serious consequences, medication and lifestyle management are very crucial. The right diet, exercise, and a disciplined way of life can keep blood sugar level under control. Diabetics can also use alternate health therapies such as herbal remedies, yoga and ayurveda. An active lifestyle, no smoking, and no alcohol can normalize blood sugar. The feet is where most complications occur. That is why protecting them with diabetic socks to necessary.
Causes
The major cause of diabetes is inadequate insulin function in the body. It can happen because of an autoimmune disease which destroys insulin producing beta cells or because of a condition called insulin resistance in which cells in the body develop resistance towards insulin. Apart from these pathological factors, other causes of diabetes are obesity, hormonal imbalance such as PCOS, certain kinds of medication, diet, sedentary lifestyle and hereditary factors. It has also been found that environmental factors and stress can trigger diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
There are mainly three kinds of diabetes - Type I, Type II and Gestational. Type I is caused due to the autoimmune disorder. Type II is caused at later stage in life due to inadequate insulin production or insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes is caused in pregnant women. The condition comes under control after child birth.
Diagnosis
Diabetes is diagnosed with three different types of tests. Fasting Blood Sugar test is done after not eating for at least eight hours. Two hour postprandial blood sugar is done two hours after meals and random blood sugar test is done at any time of the day. The average of values gives the right blood sugar level in the blood because sugar level in the blood is the lowest in the mornings and highest after meals.
Complications
Diabetes can cause many health complications that include kidney failure, strokes, heart attacks, nerve damage and eye sight impairment, among others. In order to avoid such serious consequences, medication and lifestyle management are very crucial. The right diet, exercise, and a disciplined way of life can keep blood sugar level under control. Diabetics can also use alternate health therapies such as herbal remedies, yoga and ayurveda. An active lifestyle, no smoking, and no alcohol can normalize blood sugar. The feet is where most complications occur. That is why protecting them with diabetic socks to necessary.