Diabetes

A lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

There are 2 main types of Diabetes:

Type 1: where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.

Type 2: where the body does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells do not react to insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1.

Prediabetes: Many people have blood sugar levels above the normal ranges, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. This is called pre-diabetes. If you are a pre-diabetic, your chances of developing into full-blown diabetes are increased.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR:

If you experience the following symptoms of diabetes:

Feeling very thirsty
Peeing more frequent- especially at night
Feeling very tired
Weight loss
Frequent thrush infections
Slow healing of cuts and wounds

RISK FACTORS FOR DIABETES DEVELOPMENT

Weight – The more fatty tissue you have, the more resistant your cells becomes to insulin
Family history
Heart Disease
High blood pressure
High fat and carbohydrate diet
High alcohol intake
Prediabetes
High blood triglycerides (fat) levels
Age
Gestational diabetes
Polycystic ovary syndrome

DIAGNOSING DIABETES

Type 2 Diabetes is often diagnosed following a blood or urine test for something else unless you have symptoms. If you have diabetes, the doctor would explain the blood result, diagnosis and treatment recommendation.

Generally, the doctor would discuss:

What diabetes is?
What does high blood sugar mean for your health?
Whether you need to take medicine
Your diet and exercise
Your lifestyle – for example, alcohol and smoking

COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES

Heart disease and stroke
Loss of feeling and pain (nerve damage)
Foot problems – like sores and infections
Vision loss and blindness
Miscarriage and stillbirth
Problems with your kidneys

Controlling your blood sugar level and having regular diabetes check-ups is the best way to lower your risk of complications.

Diabetes is serious and should be treated properly. Although diabetes cannot yet be cured it can be controlled and in some cases, it goes into remission.

The successful control is likely to involve lifestyle changes that will have enormous health benefits and allow a person to continue their normal day-to-day life.