WHAT IS DIABETES?
The human body is made up of various organs, which performs different functions. Just like the function of the heart is to pump blood, the function of the of the kidney is to remove waste and extra fluid from the body, the function of the lungs is to process gas exchange called respiration or ( breathing). There is an organ in the body called the pancreas.
The functions of the pancreas is to make pancreatic juices called insulin. The insulin helps in breaking down of sugar, fats and starch.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to carry out it’s function. That is not producing insulin that with the digestion of food we eat.
WHAT IS INSULIN?
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that acts like a key to let glucose from the food we eat pass from the blood stream into the cells in the body to produce energy. All carbohydrate food are broken down into glucose in the blood, insulin helps glucose get into the blood cell.
Not being able to produce insulin or use it effectively leads to a raised glucose level in the blood (known as hyperglycemia), which can result into the damage and failure of various body organs and tissues and that may lead to death.
when there isn’t any any glucose in the body, and there is the presence of insulin, it could lead to what is (known as hypoglycemia), which is very dangerous. it could lead to coma.
TYPES OF DIABETES
There are there main types of diabetes; the Type1, Type2 and Gestational diabetes.
TYPE1 DIABETES- Type1 diabetes occurs when your immune system is attacking and destroying the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. As a result of this, the body produces very little or no insulin.
The cause of Type1 diabetes is yet to be known, but Type1 diabetes is linked to genetic condition that often shows up early in life. It means you been diabetic, but at early childhood or at adolescent you it’s likely to come into existence. People with Type1 diabetes need daily injection of insulin to help control their blood glucose level. If people with Type1 diabetes do not have access to insulin, it will lead to hyperglycemia, thereby creating serious complications that lead to death.
SYMPTOMS OF TYPE1 DIABETES
- Abnormal thirst and dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Sudden weight lost
- Lack of energy, tiredness and dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Constant hunger
TREATMENT
There is no permanent cure to Type1 diabetes. People with Type1 diabetes requires daily dose of insulin treatment to regulate their blood sugar, constant monitoring of blood sugar and a health lifestyle such as dieting and exercise to manage their condition effectively.
PREVENTION
There is actually no way to prevent Type1 diabetes.
TYPE2 DIABETES- Type2 diabetes is actually related to lifestyle, with type2 diabetes is either your body doesn’t produce enough insulin , or it resist insulin.
The causes of type2 diabetes, is when the pancreas in your body can no longer produce enough insulin to help break down the food and drinks you eat, thereby causing the glucose from the food you eat to be more in your blood cells leading to what is called hyperglycemia.
SYMPTOMS OF TYPE2 DIABETES
- Frequent urination
- Thirsty and dry mouth
- weight loss
- increased hunger
- wounds and injury takes longer to heal
TREATMENT
Type2 diabetes is mainly lifestyle related, and so with type2 diabetes your lifestyle is is going to change. You have to change your diet, exercise and reduce your stress level. However, you can be subjected to take insulin if your glucose level is beyond healthy lifestyle.
PREVENTION
The only way to prevent Type2 diabetes is to live a healthy lifestyle. Dieting, Exercise and checking your blood sugar.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES- This occurs during pregnancy. Like the other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects hoe your cells use your sugar. It can affect how your pregnancy and your baby.
The causes of gestational diabetes id still not know, however, excess weight before pregnancy often play a role. Researchers has it that women with gestational diabetes have higher risk of developing Type2
SYMPTOMS- Most times gestational diabetes doesn’t causes noticeable symptoms. However, increased thirst and frequent urination are possible symptoms.
PREVENTION
- Eating healthy foods
- Exercise
- weight control
TREATMENT
- Lifestyle changes: Dieting and Exercise
- Blood sugar monitoring
- medication, if necessary.
