What Is Diabetes?
Basics of Diabetes
The food you eat (mainly the carbohydrates) gets converted into glucose (sugar) which gives you energy. A hormone is released by the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) which allows glucose to enter all the cells of your body. Diabetes is a medical condition that does not allow your body to utilise glucose completely or partially thus leading to increased glucose concentration in your blood.
Types Of Diabetes
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Type 1 Diabetes or Juvenile Diabetes -In type 1 diabetes, pancreas is unable to produce adequate amount of hormones. Thus, leading to increased glucose concentration in your blood. This usually occur in children and teenagers.
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Type 2 Diabetes or Adult Onset Diabetes - In type 2 diabetes, pancreas may produce hormones but the body does not respond appropriately to hypoglycemic agenct and this results in increased glucose concentration in your blood. This usually occurs in adults and is more common type.
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Gestational Diabetes - It occurs only during pregnancy. Although gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy, about 80% of women who had gestational diabetes ultimately develop permanent diabetes.
Common Symptoms
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Extreme hunger and thirst
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Frequent urination
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Unexplained weight loss
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Fatigue or drowsiness
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Blurry vision
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Slow-healing wounds, sores or bruises
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Dry, itchy skin
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Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
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Frequent or recurring skin, gum, bladder or vaginal yeast infections.
Excess of glucose in your blood over a long period of time can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
3 Keys To Manage Your Diabetes
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Healthy eating
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Regular exercise
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Weight control
You should also monitor your blood glucose level regularly and take medicine if prescribed.