Public Health Awareness Week: Diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition that damages the body’s capability to process blood sugar and further lead to high sugar levels in the blood. As per the statistics, diabetes is affecting over 30 million people in India annually. Diabetes can easily build-up excessive sugars in the blood which can further take a toll on the health and increase the risk of various health ailments like stroke and heart disease.

Symptoms of diabetes

The general symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased appetite and thirst
• Weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vision
• Extreme tiredness
• Wounds that don’t heal

The symptoms of diabetes differ in both men and women. Men who are suffering from diabetes have symptoms like decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction and poor muscle strength while women suffering from diabetes have symptoms such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and dry, itchy skin.

Types of diabetes

There are different types of diabetes- all of which have different symptoms, causes and treatments. Here are a few different types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is also known as an autoimmune disease. In this type of diabetes, the immune system completely destroys the cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. The cause of this diabetes is quite unclear and about 10% of people who are suffering from diabetes have this type. Genes might be a factor for those suffering from type 1 diabetes. Symptoms for type 1 diabetes include extreme hunger and thirst, weight loss, frequent urination, blurry vision and tiredness.
• Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes happens when your body becomes resistant to insulin and a build of sugar formulate inside your blood. Both genetics and lifestyle play a major role in developing type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include increased hunger and urination, blurry vision, tiredness and wounds that are slow to heal.
• Pre-diabetes: Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when the levels of your blood sugar get a lot higher than normal but not too enough for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
• Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes is a condition that generally happens during pregnancy. This type of diabetes basically happens due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Overweight women or women who gain a lot of weight during pregnancy are at a high risk to get gestational diabetes. A lot of women do not notice any symptoms while suffering from this type of diabetes.

The complications involved

High blood sugar levels in the body can easily impair tissues and organs and can further increase the chances of various health conditions if left untreated. There are various complications associated with diabetes including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, depression and skin conditions like bacterial and fungal infections.

Various lifestyle changes are extremely important to treat this condition while decreasing the distress associated with symptoms. An active, healthy and well-balanced lifestyle is a great step towards managing the condition. Make sure to eat a healthy and nutritious diet and avoid sugar-loaded food items to treat this condition.

Footnote

Make sure to consult a doctor if you are suffering from the above-written signs and symptoms of diabetes. Introduce some lifestyle and dietary changes in your routine to manage the condition and to reduce the risk of various other health complications.