Diabetes is a sickness that causes your blood sugar or blood glucose to increase to abnormal levels. This disease is related to problems with the hormone insulin, which is produced in a body organ known as the pancreas, located behind your stomach. The function of insulin is to assist your body to store and utilize the sugar and fats from the meals you consume. It helps to transfer glucose into the cells to provide your body with energy.

Lack of insulin causes glucose to accumulate in the body. Accumulation of too much glucose in your blood may lead to serious health problems. People suffering from high blood sugar typically experience recurrent urination (polyuria), increased thirst (polydipsia) and excessive hunger (polyphagia). The condition may further cause damage to your nerves, kidneys, and eyes in the long term. In severe cases, diabetes is known to cause stroke, heart attacks or even the need for amputation. Diabetes affects the metabolic functions of your body. The disease can be classified into different groups including;

1. Type 1 diabetes

A patient has type 1 diabetes when the pancreas completely fails to produce insulin. This type is also referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.  It usually affects individuals who are in their teenage years or early adulthood. Approximately 10% of diabetic patients suffer from this kind of diabetes. If you are suffering from type 1 diabetes, you will likely be required to have insulin injections your entire life to control the disease. You must also maintain proper blood sugar levels by conducting routine blood tests and adhering to a special diet.

1. Type 2 diabetes

This type results from the pancreas failing to release enough insulin for proper body function. Type 2 diabetes is the most common worldwide affecting approximately 90% of diabetic patients. An individual with type 2 diabetes can control the disease by performing plenty of exercises, losing extra weight, checking their blood sugar levels and sticking to a healthy diet. However, this is a progressive disease which can gradually deteriorate and patient’s end up having to ingest insulin in the form of tablets.

1. Prediabetes

This is a situation where the blood sugar is at abnormal levels but not high enough to be called diabetes. Patients with prediabetes are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

1. Gestational diabetes

Women are prone to contract this type of diabetes during pregnancy. Common Symptoms of Diabetes;

1) Frequent urination

2) Intense thirst

3) Excessive hunger

4) Frequent fatigue

5) Abnormal weight loss

6) Unusual weight gain

7) Cuts and bruises refusing to heal

8) Numbness of body

9) Itchy hands and feet

10) Sexual dysfunction in males

To know if you are suffering from diabetes you will need to take a blood test. The A1C test is one kind of blood test you may take, which will also check how a patient is managing diabetes. In case you have diabetes it is not the end of the world, you can live a long life through managing the disease by exercising regularly, proper diet and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

*The author of this blog is not a medical professional and this article does not contain professional medical advice. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the contents of this article. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.