Diabetes: A Few Things You Should Know
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to process blood sugar. It is a debilitating disease that can lead to severe health conditions, including heart attack, kidney failure, and blindness.
According to research, approximately 1 in 10 people in the United States have diabetes and only 1 in every 5 people even know they have it.
In this blog, we give you a quick overview of the condition, the signs to look out for and the right treatment protocols.
What Are The Types of Diabetes?
While only two types of diabetes are commonly talked about, there are four main types of diabetes namely:
- Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also referred to as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune condition that is caused when the insulin-producing cells in your body are destroyed. It is reported that up to 10% of people with diabetes have this type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, contributing to the term juvenile diabetes.
- Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common with about 95% of people with diabetes having this type. Previous statistics show that people in their middle to older ages are more likely to suffer from this diabetes than any other age group.
- This type of diabetes is caused when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t respond well to the insulin produced by your body.
- Prediabetes. The prediabetes stage is just before being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In this stage, your blood glucose levels are higher than what they should but are not yet at a level where you can be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational Diabetes. Found in a number of pregnant women, gestational diabetes typically goes away after child birth. However, women with this type of diabetes have a higher risk of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
What Are The Risk Factors?
Depending on the type of diabetes, there could be a number of risk factors.
The risk factors for Type 1 diabetes include: genetics, damage to the pancreas, presence of autoantibodies, stress on the body, and viral illnesses.
The risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include: genetics, race, obesity, long-term high blood pressure, physical inactivity, negative lifestyle habits, illness like heart disease and so much more.
The risk factors for Gestational diabetes include: race, genetics and age with people over the age of 25 years being at higher risk..
What Are The First Signs of Being A Diabetic?
Everyone is different, and everyone presents with varied symptoms. That being said, there are a few signs you should be on the lookout for early on.
- Constant or increased thirst
- Fatigue
- Numbness
- Unexplainable weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Yeast infections and UTIs in women
- Decreased sex drive in men
- Erectile dysfunction
When left untreated, diabetes can have adverse complications. For pregnant women, in particular, it can lead to preeclampsia, and it can also cause the following complications:
- Kidney damage
- Cardiovascular disease
- Nerve damage
- Depression
- Hearing loss
- Dental problems.
What Are The Treatment Options for Diabetes?
Diabetes is an incredibly expensive disease. Because it can be a hereditary disease, catching it early is the only way to prevent it. You can only do this by visiting a qualified health professional as soon as you experience the first symptoms.
Diabetes doesn’t have a cure, but there is hope. Finding the right support from day one could help you manage your disease more effectively and alleviate symptoms for longer!
None of the statements on this newsletter have been evaluated by the FDA.
Furthermore, none of the statements on this newsletter should be construed as dispensing medical advice, nor making claims regarding the cure of diseases.
You should consult a licensed health care professional before starting any supplement, dietary, or exercise program, especially if you are pregnant or have any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
